Bumble bees are common garden inhabitants. Many people misunderstand their stinging capabilities, often assuming they behave like other well-known stinging insects. This article clarifies how bumble bees use their stingers and how they differ from other bees and wasps.
The Unique Bumble Bee Stinger
Unlike the honey bee, which has a barbed stinger, a bumble bee’s stinger is smooth or has very small barbs. This allows the bumble bee to easily withdraw its stinger from the skin after an encounter, enabling it to sting multiple times without injuring itself. Only female bumble bees, including queens and workers, possess stingers.
The stinger, located at the end of the abdomen, is used for defense. Its smooth design prevents it from becoming lodged in a victim’s skin, a fate that proves fatal for honey bees.
Bumble Bee Stinging Behavior
Bumble bees can sting multiple times. They primarily sting as a defensive mechanism to protect themselves or their nests. Bumble bees are generally less aggressive than some other stinging insects.
They typically sting only if threatened, provoked, or if their nest is disturbed. For instance, accidentally stepping on a bumble bee or disturbing its underground nest can prompt a sting. Despite their ability to sting repeatedly, bumble bees are often docile and prefer to avoid confrontation.
Bumble Bees Versus Other Stinging Insects
Understanding the differences between bumble bees, honey bees, and wasps clarifies common misconceptions. Honey bees have barbed stingers that typically remain embedded in the skin after a sting, leading to their death. This contrasts sharply with the bumble bee’s smooth stinger, which allows for multiple stings. Wasps, such as yellow jackets and hornets, also possess smooth stingers and can sting repeatedly.
Wasps are often more aggressive than bumble bees and may sting with less provocation. Distinguishing these insects can be done by appearance and behavior. Bumble bees are typically larger and rounder with dense, fuzzy hair, often displaying black and yellow bands. Honey bees are usually more slender, with less prominent hair and darker bodies. Wasps have smoother, more slender bodies with a distinct narrow waist and bright yellow and black patterns. Bumble bees also tend to nest in pre-existing cavities, often underground, while honey bees build elaborate hives and wasps construct paper-like nests.