Bees are industrious insects, serving a fundamental role in the reproduction of flowering plants and the stability of ecosystems worldwide. Their constant activity as pollinators makes them a high-value target in the food web, representing a concentrated source of protein and fat. Despite their defensive armament—a barbed stinger capable of injecting venom—bees are a regular food source for a diverse array of animals. Predators use methods ranging from tiny insect assassins employing chemical warfare to large mammals tearing apart the entire colony for its rich contents.
Invertebrate Hunters and Trappers
Foraging bees frequently encounter smaller arthropod predators that rely on ambush or specialized venom for a swift kill. Among the stealthiest hunters are crab spiders, which do not spin webs. Instead, they wait on flowers, perfectly camouflaged to match the petals. When a bee lands, the spider lunges, injecting a potent venom that rapidly paralyzes the insect before it can use its stinger.
Other insects hunt their prey mid-flight, using superior speed and aerial precision. Robber flies are known for their predatory nature, perching in open areas to survey the air before launching an attack. Once a bee is intercepted, the robber fly stabs it with a specialized mouthpart, injecting a paralyzing neurotoxin and enzymes that liquefy the bee’s internal organs. The fly then consumes the liquefied contents.
Specialized predatory wasps, such as beewolves, capture bees not for immediate consumption but to provision their nests. A female beewolf delivers a paralyzing sting to the bee’s underside, targeting the thoracic nerves. The incapacitated bee is carried back to the wasp’s underground burrow, where the wasp lays an egg on it. This provides a fresh, paralyzed meal for the developing wasp larva.
Birds That Prey on Bees
Avian predators often specialize in catching flying insects, and bees are a common target due to their predictable flight paths. The most famous specialists are the bee-eaters, a group of birds found across Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe. These birds possess remarkable eyesight, allowing them to spot and capture a bee from up to 60 meters away using their long, slender bills.
The key challenge for these birds is neutralizing the bee’s sting mechanism. After catching the insect, the bee-eater will return to a perch and repeatedly smashes the bee against a hard surface to kill it. This is followed by the bird rubbing the bee’s abdomen against the branch. This rubbing action applies pressure to the venom sac, effectively discharging the venom and dislodging the stinger before the bee is swallowed.
In North America, the Summer Tanager exhibits similar specialized behavior to handle its prey. Upon capturing a bee, this songbird often rakes the insect across a branch or the ground. This action removes the stinger, allowing the bird to safely consume the insect. Other birds, like Kingbirds and Flycatchers, are opportunistic aerial hunters, snatching foraging bees out of the air.
Mammals That Target Hives and Larvae
Mammalian predators typically do not focus on catching individual adult bees. Instead, they target the entire colony to access high-calorie resources within the nest. The primary motivation is consuming honey, the dense carbohydrate source, and the protein-rich bee brood (larvae and pupae). Bears, such as the American black bear, are the most formidable predators, using brute force to tear apart hives and access the comb. Their thick hide, dense fur, and layers of fat provide significant protection against the mass stinging attack that follows hive destruction.
Smaller, nocturnal mammals also raid colonies using a different strategy. Skunks are notorious for approaching a hive at night, when the bees are less active, and scratching at the entrance. As guard bees emerge, the skunk swiftly swats them down and eats them. Though skunks are routinely stung, they are undeterred by the pain and the venom.
Raccoons are another common nocturnal nuisance, often targeting weak colonies or those elevated on stands. They attempt to open hive lids to access the comb or use their nimble paws to capture returning workers. These opportunistic predators are motivated by the high nutritional value of the entire colony’s stores, making the defensive sting a manageable risk for a large meal.