Final answer:
Stinging arthropods like wasps were used in war by groups such as the Kayapó people of Brazil, who believed the venom made their warriors stronger and more resilient. Darrell Posey's research shows this ethnoentomological practice as part of a deeply rooted cultural tradition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main reason stinging arthropods were used in war connects to the cultural practices of certain indigenous groups, who utilized the insects' natural defenses as a form of psychological and physical enhancement on the battlefield.
The Kayapó people of central Brazil, for example, utilized the venom of wasps to embolden their warriors, drawing on the power of the stings to prepare them for combat. This practice, studied by cultural anthropologist Darrell Posey, highlights an ethnoentomological relationship where the perceived potency and resilience from wasp venom were integral to the warriors' preparation and eventual success in their battles.
The practice of using arthropods in combat illustrates the diverse ways in which humans have harnessed the natural world for medicinal, material, and psychological purposes throughout history. Consequently, arthropods were not only ecological entities but also an important part of the cultural and wartime rituals in various societies.