Bees play a fundamental role in global ecosystems as primary pollinators. They facilitate the reproduction of flowering plants, including many crops essential for human food security. Their activity supports biodiversity by ensuring the growth of wild plants, which provide food and habitat for other species. Healthy bee populations are important for ecological balance.
Insect and Arachnid Predators
A diverse array of insects and arachnids preys on bees, employing various hunting strategies. Robber flies are agile aerial predators that capture bees mid-flight. They pierce their prey with a specialized proboscis, injecting paralyzing enzymes that liquefy the bee’s internal tissues for consumption. Some species of robber flies even mimic bees in appearance.
Praying mantises are ambush hunters, waiting on vegetation to snatch unsuspecting bees with their strong, spiny forelegs. Assassin bugs stalk or ambush bees, paralyzing them with venom before feeding. Dragonflies are opportunistic predators that intercept bees in flight.
Among arachnids, crab spiders are ambush predators, often camouflaging themselves on flowers to surprise foraging bees. They inject a neurotoxin to quickly paralyze their prey. Orb weaver spiders construct webs to ensnare flying insects, including bees, which become entangled before the spider immobilizes them. Beewolves, a type of solitary wasp, are specialized bee hunters. Female beewolves paralyze bees with a sting, then transport them back to their underground nests to provision their developing larvae.
Bird Predators
Birds are common predators of bees, with some species exhibiting specialized hunting behaviors. Bee-eaters are adept at catching bees in mid-flight. These birds repeatedly strike the bee against a perch to remove the stinger and discharge venom before consumption.
Kingbirds are aerial insectivores that snatch bees from the air. Summer tanagers also consume bees, sometimes rubbing them against a branch to disarm them. Woodpeckers often seek out bee larvae residing within wooden structures or trees, drilling into nests, particularly those of carpenter bees, to access this protein-rich food source. Purple martins agilely catch flying insects, including bees.
Mammal and Other Vertebrate Predators
Various mammals and other vertebrates include bees in their diets, employing distinct strategies to overcome stinging defenses or access nests. Bears are recognized for raiding bee hives, drawn by honey and bee larvae. Their powerful paws and strong sense of smell allow them to locate and dismantle hives to reach the contents, including adult bees.
Badgers are skilled diggers that unearth ground-dwelling bee nests to feed on adult bees and their larvae. Their thick fur offers some protection against stings during these raids. Skunks are nocturnal predators that target bee colonies. They scratch at hive entrances to provoke guard bees, then consume the emerging insects, often rolling them to remove stingers before chewing and spitting out the exoskeletons. Their dense fur provides insulation from stings.
Certain amphibians and reptiles also prey on bees. Toads and frogs are ambush predators that position themselves near hive entrances or flowering plants. They use their sticky tongues to capture bees. Lizards opportunistically consume bees, waiting near hives or on flowers to snatch bees as they enter, exit, or forage.