Bumble bees, recognized by their fuzzy bodies and gentle buzzing, are a familiar sight in gardens and natural spaces. These important pollinators often spark a common question: can a bumble bee sting more than once? Many are uncertain about their defensive capabilities. Understanding their stinging mechanism and behavior clarifies this widespread misconception.
The Bumble Bee Stinger
Bumble bees possess a stinger that is smooth and lacks the barbs found in some other bee species. This allows them to retract their stinger after use without causing fatal injury. Consequently, a female bumble bee, which is the only one capable of stinging, can sting multiple times if provoked. The stinger is a modified ovipositor, a structure typically used for egg-laying in other insects, but adapted for defense.
When a bumble bee stings, it injects venom through this smooth stinger. Unlike some other insects, the bumble bee’s stinger does not remain embedded in the skin. This enables them to withdraw the stinger effectively.
Why the Confusion?
The common belief that a bee can only sting once and then dies primarily stems from the behavior of the honey bee. Honey bees have a barbed stinger, which is structurally different from that of a bumble bee. When a honey bee stings a mammal or animal with thick skin, these barbs become firmly lodged.
As the honey bee attempts to pull away, its barbed stinger, along with parts of its abdomen and digestive tract, is torn from its body. This severe injury is fatal to the honey bee, which dies shortly after stinging. This widely known characteristic of the honey bee often leads to the mistaken assumption that all bee species share the same stinging limitation.
Bumble Bee Behavior
Bumble bees are docile and not aggressive. They use their stinger primarily as a defensive mechanism, only resorting to stinging when they perceive a direct threat. Instances where a bumble bee might sting include when its nest is disturbed, or if it feels trapped or handled roughly.
Their stinging is a response to protect themselves or their colony, rather than an act of unprovoked aggression. Foraging bumble bees are focused on collecting nectar and pollen, and rarely sting unless directly provoked or stepped on. If a bumble bee feels threatened, it might display warning signs before resorting to a sting.