Australia has a reputation for being home to deadly creatures, but our most dangerous venomous creature may come as a surprise.

It’s not a snake, nor a spider — it’s the bee.

Bee stings result in the most hospitalisations and deaths of any venomous plant or animal in the country.

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals more than a quarter of hospitalisations after contact with venomous animals and plants in 2017-18 related to bee stings.

Of the 3520 hospitalisations due to venomous animals in that year, 927 were from bee stings.

There were 19 deaths from venomous animals and plants during 2017-18.

Twelve were from bee and wasp stings, while seven were due to snake bites.

Spider bites accounted for one-fifth of all venomous bite and sting related hospitalisations.

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(Photo: iStock by Getty Images.)