Bees are important pollinators, facilitating the reproduction of many flowering plants. This supports the production of fruits, vegetables, and seeds, food sources for various animals. Despite their stinging defenses, bees serve as food for many creatures, integrating them into complex food webs.
Insect Predators
Insects are frequent bee predators, using diverse hunting strategies. Wasps, like the European hornet (Vespa crabro) and yellow jackets (Vespula species), commonly hunt adult bees. European hornets often ambush bees at hive entrances, capturing them to feed their larvae. Yellow jackets, opportunistic scavengers, also attack foraging bees or raid weakened colonies for protein.
Cicada killers (Sphecius speciosus) primarily target cicadas but sometimes prey on bees. Praying mantises (Mantodea order) are ambush predators, snatching bees from flowers or in flight with their specialized forelegs. Robber flies (Asilidae family) are agile aerial hunters, capturing bees mid-air and paralyzing them with toxins before consumption. Dragonflies, particularly larger species, also catch bees in flight as part of their varied diet.
Avian Predators
Birds are bee predators, often using specialized behaviors to overcome bee defenses. Bee-eaters (Meropidae family) are renowned avian predators, with some species consuming hundreds of bees daily. They capture bees in flight and rub the bee’s abdomen against a perch or hard surface to remove the sting before swallowing. Shrikes, often called “butcher birds,” impale their prey, including bees, on thorns or barbed wire, disarming the bee before consumption.
Woodpeckers, particularly species like the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), excavate bee nests in trees to access larvae and adult bees, using their strong beaks to penetrate the hive. Mockingbirds and certain flycatchers also include bees in their diet, catching them opportunistically. They often employ quick aerial maneuvers to snatch bees from the air or from flowers.
Mammalian Predators
Mammals prey on bees by targeting their nests, seeking high-energy honey and protein-rich larvae. Bears, such as the American black bear (Ursus americanus), tear open wild bee nests or cultivated hives to consume honeycombs, larvae, and adult bees. Their thick fur protects them from stings, allowing them to endure attacks while accessing nest contents. Badgers also dig into the ground to raid underground bee nests, using powerful claws and a strong sense of smell to locate colonies.
Skunks, like the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), often visit apiaries at night, scratching hive entrances to lure out and consume guard bees. Their thick fur and robust skin protect them from stings. Smaller mammals, including shrews and mice, may raid accessible bee nests, especially during food scarcity, consuming larvae or adult bees that are easier to overpower.
Other Animal Predators
Other animal groups also threaten bees, using various ambush and trapping techniques. Amphibians like frogs and toads are opportunistic predators, flicking out their long, sticky tongues to capture foraging bees within striking distance. Reptiles, including some lizard species, also consume bees, ambushing them from concealed positions. Some lizards have developed a tolerance or immunity to bee venom, allowing them to consume bees without adverse effects.
Arachnids, especially spiders, are effective bee predators. Orb-weaver spiders construct intricate webs to ensnare flying insects, including bees, which become entangled and paralyzed by venom. Crab spiders (Thomisidae family) are ambush predators, camouflaging themselves on flowers, waiting for bees to land before striking quickly. These diverse predators demonstrate the bee’s role as a food source across various animal taxa.