When one thinks of bees, the image of a buzzing insect with a painful sting often comes to mind. This common perception, however, does not encompass all bee species. It raises the question: do all bees possess the ability to sting? The answer reveals a fascinating diversity in the insect world, highlighting groups of bees that have evolved without this familiar defense mechanism.
Discovering Stingless Bees
Stingless bees, scientifically classified within the tribe Meliponini, are found predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions across the globe, including Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. While they possess a sting structure, it is highly reduced and non-functional for defense. This means they cannot pierce skin or deliver venom.
Stingless bees, comprising over 600 species, vary significantly in size, ranging from 2 to 15 millimeters. They are social insects that form colonies with thousands of individuals centered around a queen. These bees play an important role as pollinators, contributing to the reproduction of various plants. Their nests are often found in protected places like tree cavities, hollowed trunks, or underground, and some species construct elaborate entrance tubes.
Unpacking Male Bees and Stinging
Male bees, often called drones, are another exception to the stinging rule. Across nearly all bee species, only female bees (queens and workers) have a sting. The sting is a modified ovipositor, an organ used for laying eggs in female insects. Since male bees do not lay eggs, they lack this structure and cannot sting.
Male bees have a larger, rounder body than worker bees, with larger eyes that often meet at the top of their heads. Their main function is reproduction, mating with a virgin queen during her flight. Drones do not participate in hive tasks like foraging, caring for young, or nest construction, relying on worker bees for food. Their presence is important for the colony’s overall functioning and genetic diversity.
Alternative Defenses of Non-Stinging Bees
Without a functional sting, stingless bees have developed various methods to protect their colonies. Many species use powerful mandibles to deliver painful bites, sometimes injecting irritating substances like formic acid. Some also employ chemical defenses, secreting unpleasant smells or sticky materials to immobilize enemies. They may gather sticky resins from plants to build barriers around nest entrances, trapping or deterring predators.
Stingless bees also use collective defensive behaviors. They can overwhelm threats by swarming, with hundreds or thousands of bees engaging in aggressive aerial displays or mass attacks. Some species have evolved specialized soldier castes, larger workers dedicated to guarding the nest entrance and dispatching intruders. Male bees’ defense is largely indirect; they do not have a direct role in colony defense and rely on the protective actions of female worker bees.