Female wasps possess a specialized organ known as a stinger. This structure serves as a tool for both defense and procuring sustenance, allowing them to protect their colonies and subdue other insects.
Anatomy of the Wasp Stinger
The wasp stinger is a modified ovipositor, an organ originally used by insects for laying eggs. This explains why only female wasps have stingers. The stinger is a slender, needle-like appendage at the tip of the wasp’s abdomen. Its smooth surface allows easy withdrawal after use.
The stinger consists of a stylus and two lancets that slide to facilitate venom injection. A venom gland produces venom, stored in a venom sac. When a wasp stings, this venom is injected through the hollow stinger to paralyze prey or deter threats.
Why Wasps Sting
Wasps primarily sting for two reasons: defense and predation. They use their stinger for defense when threatened or to protect their nest and colony. This behavior is pronounced if a nest is disturbed. When stinging defensively, a wasp may also release pheromones, alerting other wasps to join the attack.
Wasps also use their stingers to capture and paralyze prey for their larvae. Many predatory wasps hunt other insects, using venom to subdue prey for transport back to the nest. The paralyzed prey serves as a food source for developing wasp larvae. Their stinging behavior is generally a response to perceived threats or a means of securing food.
Distinguishing Wasp Stings from Bee Stings
A notable difference exists between a wasp’s stinger and a honey bee’s stinger, which impacts their stinging behavior. Wasps possess a smooth stinger, enabling them to sting multiple times without harming themselves. This design allows the wasp to inject venom and then retract its stinger.
In contrast, the common honey bee has a barbed stinger. When a honey bee stings a mammal or other thick-skinned creature, these barbs often cause the stinger to become lodged in the skin. As the bee attempts to pull away, the stinger, along with a part of its abdomen and venom sac, is torn from its body, which is fatal for the bee. Therefore, a honey bee can typically only sting once, while a wasp can sting multiple times.