Bees are often perceived as insects that sting. However, many species either cannot sting or are significantly less likely to do so. Understanding these differences can clarify common misconceptions and foster appreciation for these important pollinators.
Bees That Lack a Stinger
Some bees are physically unable to sting. The most recognized group are stingless bees (Meliponini tribe), found in tropical and subtropical regions. While they possess a stinger, it is highly reduced and ineffective for defense. Instead, they bite with strong mandibles or secrete caustic substances. Some species form large, cooperative colonies, similar to honey bees.
All male bees, regardless of species, inherently lack a stinger because it is a modified egg-laying organ. Additionally, some female bees from families like mining bees (Andrenidae) and leaf-cutting bees (Megachilidae) also cannot sting.
Bees That Rarely Sting
Many bees possess a stinger but are biologically or behaviorally disinclined to use it. Male bees, known as drones, are a prime example; they cannot sting. Their primary role is reproduction, not foraging or hive defense. While drones might buzz or swing their abdomens if disturbed, they pose no stinging threat.
Solitary bees comprise over 90% of all bee species. Unlike social bees, they do not live in large colonies or defend a communal hive. Female solitary bees, such as mason bees, leafcutter bees, and sweat bees, have stingers but are typically non-aggressive. They sting only if severely provoked, handled, or accidentally trapped against skin, and their sting is often mild.
Understanding the Bee Sting
A bee’s sting is primarily a defensive mechanism, used by female worker bees in social colonies to protect their home. In honey bees, the stinger is barbed, causing it to lodge in the skin during a sting.
When a honey bee stings, the barbed stinger, along with parts of its digestive tract and muscles, is torn from its body, leading to the bee’s death. Even after detaching, the venom sac can continue to pump venom into the wound. This self-sacrificing act underscores that stinging is a last resort for honey bees, performed to ensure colony survival.
Identifying Non-Stinging or Less Aggressive Bees
Observing physical characteristics and behaviors helps distinguish bees unlikely to sting. Male bees, or drones, are often larger than worker bees with a stouter, barrel-shaped body. A distinguishing feature of drones is their noticeably larger eyes, which often meet at the top of their head. Drones also lack the pollen baskets found on the hind legs of female worker bees, as they do not collect pollen.
Solitary bees are typically observed individually, rather than in large groups or swarms, and do not defend a collective hive. Their nesting sites vary widely, including holes in the ground, hollow plant stems, or wood cavities. These bees are usually focused on foraging for nectar and pollen or constructing individual nests. Their behavior is generally calm, stinging only if directly provoked or handled roughly.