Bumblebees are common pollinators. Many people wonder if they die after stinging, a misconception often stemming from observations of other bee species. This article clarifies bumblebee stinging behavior, distinguishing it from honeybees, and details the mechanisms behind their sting.
Bumblebees vs. Honeybees: The Stinging Truth
Bumblebees generally do not die after they sting, a key difference from honeybees. A honeybee’s stinger features prominent barbs that cause it to become lodged in the skin of a mammal. When a honeybee attempts to pull away after stinging, the barbed stinger, venom sac, and part of its internal organs are torn from its body, leading to its death.
Bumblebees possess a stinger that allows them to survive the act of stinging. Unlike honeybees, their stinger does not have the significant barbs that would cause it to remain embedded in a victim’s skin. This anatomical difference means a bumblebee can retract its stinger cleanly after delivering venom. As a result, bumblebees are capable of stinging multiple times without suffering fatal injury.
How a Bumblebee’s Stinger Works
A bumblebee’s stinger is a smooth, needle-like structure, unlike a honeybee’s barbed stinger. This smooth design allows a bumblebee to easily withdraw its stinger from skin after delivering venom. The stinger itself is a modified ovipositor, an organ found in female insects. Only female bumblebees (workers and queens) possess the ability to sting; male bumblebees do not have stingers.
The stinger is located at the rear of the abdomen and functions as a defensive tool. When a bumblebee stings, it injects venom into the recipient through this smooth stinger. The smooth design allows the bee to retract the entire apparatus, including the venom sac, without tearing its internal body parts. This enables the bumblebee to use its stinger repeatedly.
Why Bumblebees Sting (and How Often)
Bumblebees are docile insects and are not inherently aggressive. They primarily use their stinger as a defense mechanism when they feel threatened or if their nest is disturbed. Stinging incidents usually occur if a bumblebee is accidentally squashed, stepped on, or handled roughly. They might also sting if a perceived threat comes too close to their nest.
While bumblebees can sting multiple times, this behavior is rare. They prefer to avoid confrontation and will only sting as a last resort. If disturbed, a bumblebee might first exhibit defensive behaviors, such as rolling onto its back and waving its legs, before stinging. Their primary focus remains on foraging for nectar and pollen, contributing to their role as important pollinators.