I'd guess that initially, soneone's wrist, as well as being available to be stung, might have had a watch band, adding a bit of "animal" odor and crossing the threshold of inciting a bee to sting. Once the sting has happened, a sting or alarm pheromone (from the bee) takes over to identify the "intruder" for while (an hour maybe). More severe reactions to bee stings have been associated with use of ibuprofen, but there's a fair range even in an individual Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist B.C. Ministry of Agriculture 1201 103 Ave Dawson Creek B.C. V1G 4J2 CANADA Tel (604) 784-2225 fax (604) 784-2299 INTERNET [log in to unmask] .