Bees are often associated with their ability to sting, a defense mechanism. However, the world of bees is incredibly diverse, and not all species possess this defensive capability, or they use it rarely. Some bees cannot sting at all, while others have stings so mild they are barely noticeable. This highlights the wide range of biological adaptations within bee populations.
Bees Lacking a Functional Sting
The primary group of bees that truly lack a functional sting are the Stingless Bees, belonging to the tribe Meliponini. These social insects are found in tropical and subtropical regions across the globe, including Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. They live in perennial colonies that can house anywhere from a few hundred to over 100,000 individuals.
Stingless bees do possess a stinger, but it is non-functional for defense. Instead of stinging, these bees employ defense mechanisms to protect their nests and resources. They may bite intruders, and some species, like those in the genus Oxytrigona, have mandibular secretions that can cause painful blisters.
Stingless bees also use sticky resins and wax to immobilize attackers, and some species close their nest entrances at night with a material called cerumen. Their defensive behaviors include aggressive biting, alarm pheromones to recruit more defenders, and even suicidal biting in some Trigona species. Their nests are often built in protected locations like tree hollows or rock crevices, with narrow entrances that are easy to defend.
Bees with Minimal Stinging Tendencies
Beyond the truly stingless bees, many other bee species either sting very rarely or possess a sting that is remarkably mild. Only female bees can sting, as the stinger is a modified egg-laying organ. Male bees, often called drones, lack a stinger and cannot sting.
Certain solitary bee species are known for their docile nature and are unlikely to sting unless directly threatened or squeezed. Mason bees are gentle pollinators that rarely sting because they do not have a hive or queen to protect. Their sting is often compared to a mosquito bite.
Similarly, leafcutter bees are non-aggressive and will only sting if handled roughly. Their sting is considered mild. These bees are solitary and focus on building individual nests, reducing their defensive instincts compared to social bees that protect large colonies.
Biological Reasons for Non-Stinging Behavior
The absence or reduction of stinging behavior in bees stems from biological and evolutionary factors. In stingless bees (Meliponini), the stinger is present but is vestigial. This evolutionary reduction means that while the anatomical components of a stinger exist, they are too small or underdeveloped to deliver a defensive sting.
For male bees across all species, the inability to sting is a biological difference. The stinger evolved from the ovipositor. Since male bees do not lay eggs, they never developed this structure.
In docile species like mason bees and leafcutter bees, their solitary lifestyle reduces stinging. Unlike social bees that live in large colonies and aggressively defend their hive, solitary bees do not have a collective nest or queen to protect. Their primary focus is on foraging and reproduction, and they are more likely to flee from a perceived threat than to sting.