A common belief is that all stinging insects perish after delivering a sting, a fate often associated with the honey bee. However, this assumption does not apply to all. Wasps, for instance, typically survive after stinging due to distinct anatomical differences.
The Stinging Mechanism: Wasps vs. Bees
Wasps generally do not die after they sting. This difference from honey bees stems from the distinct anatomical structure of their stingers. A honey bee’s stinger is barbed, with small, backward-facing hooks along its shaft. When a honey bee stings a mammal, these barbs lodge in the elastic skin, preventing retraction. As the bee attempts to pull away, the stinger, venom sac, and often parts of its digestive tract are torn from its body, leading to its death.
In contrast, a wasp’s stinger is smooth and needle-like, lacking prominent barbs. This design allows the wasp to easily withdraw its stinger from skin after injecting venom. The stinger, which is a modified ovipositor (egg-laying organ) in female wasps, is connected to a venom gland. Its retraction does not cause fatal internal damage, meaning a wasp can sting repeatedly without self-injury.
What Happens After a Wasp Stings
Because a wasp’s stinger is smooth and not barbed, it can be quickly pulled out of the victim’s skin. The wasp remains intact and unharmed following the sting. It retains its venom sac and all internal organs, allowing it to fly away and continue its activities.
This ability to retract the stinger means that a wasp can deliver multiple stings to a perceived threat or prey. After stinging, the wasp can resume its normal behaviors, such as foraging for food, tending to its nest, or caring for its larvae.
Why Wasps Sting
Wasps primarily use their sting for two main purposes: defense and predation. Stinging serves as a protective measure for themselves or their colony when they feel threatened. If a wasp or its nest is disturbed, it may sting to deter danger.
Many wasp species also utilize their sting to subdue prey. Predatory wasps sting insects or spiders to paralyze them. This paralyzed prey is then transported back to the nest to serve as a food source for their developing larvae. The venom injected contains neurotoxins designed to quickly incapacitate the prey.