Many people commonly believe that all stinging insects perish after delivering a sting. This perception often stems from observations of honey bees, which do indeed die after a single sting. However, this widely held belief does not apply to all stinging insects, and particularly not to wasps. Understanding the distinct biological mechanisms of wasps reveals a different outcome, highlighting why these insects can be a persistent presence once agitated.
The Direct Answer: Wasps and Stinging
Wasps, unlike honey bees, generally do not die after they sting. They are capable of stinging multiple times during their lifetime. This ability stems from their stinger’s design, which allows it to be easily withdrawn from the skin for repeated use. This characteristic makes wasps a more formidable defender than insects that can only sting once.
Anatomy of a Wasp Stinger
A wasp’s stinger is a smooth, needle-like organ, lacking the barbs found on other insects’ stingers. When a wasp stings, this smooth design allows it to penetrate a target, inject venom, and then effortlessly pull its stinger back out without sustaining injury or becoming dislodged. The stinger itself is a modified ovipositor, which is an egg-laying organ found in female insects. Only female wasps possess the ability to sting, as the stinger evolved from this reproductive structure.
Why This Differs from Bees
The primary reason wasps can sting repeatedly, while honey bees typically cannot, lies in the anatomical differences of their stingers. A honey bee’s stinger is equipped with barbs, like an arrow’s fletching. When a honey bee stings, these barbs become firmly embedded. As the bee attempts to pull away, its barbed stinger, along with parts of its internal organs, is torn from its body, leading to the bee’s death. In contrast, the smooth stinger of a wasp allows it to be inserted and retracted without causing such a fatal injury to the wasp.
Behavior After Stinging
After stinging, a wasp flies away unharmed, its stinger intact. Wasps, particularly social species like yellowjackets, may become more agitated and aggressive if they perceive a continued threat to their colony. They can sting multiple times if provoked, using this as a defensive mechanism to protect themselves or their nests.