Bees are known for their pollination and honey production, but their ability to sting often raises questions. Not all bees possess this defense mechanism; the presence and nature of a stinger vary significantly across species.
The Female Bee’s Stinger
Only female bees, including worker bees and queen bees, possess a stinger. Male bees, known as drones, are physically incapable of stinging as they lack this specialized organ. The stinger is a modified ovipositor, an organ in female insects primarily used for laying eggs. In stinging bees, this organ has evolved for defense, explaining its exclusive presence in females. Male bees do not have an ovipositor and therefore do not have a stinger.
Stinging Abilities of Different Bee Species
The stinging capabilities of bees differ considerably among species, largely due to variations in stinger anatomy and social behavior. These differences determine how often and how effectively a bee can sting.
Worker honey bees are widely known for their barbed stingers. When a worker honey bee stings a mammal, the barbs cause the stinger to become lodged in the skin. This results in the stinger, along with parts of the bee’s internal organs, tearing away from its body, leading to the bee’s death. Queen honey bees also have stingers, but theirs are smoother and less barbed, allowing them to sting multiple times. However, queen bees rarely sting humans; their stinger is primarily used in conflicts with rival queens.
Female bumblebees, including both workers and queens, can sting, but their stinger is smooth rather than barbed. This smooth design allows bumblebees to retract their stinger and sting multiple times without dying. Despite this ability, bumblebees are generally docile and typically only sting if they feel threatened or are handled roughly.
Solitary bees, such as mason bees and leafcutter bees, are another group where only females possess stingers. Like bumblebees, their stingers are smooth, meaning they can sting more than once. However, solitary bees are usually non-aggressive and rarely sting unless severely provoked or accidentally crushed. Their sting is often described as milder compared to that of a honey bee.
In contrast, “stingless bees” (genera such as Melipona and Trigona) possess a stinger that is vestigial, meaning it is underdeveloped and not used for defense. Instead of stinging, these bees employ alternative defense mechanisms. They may bite, secrete irritating substances, or use sticky resins to deter threats. Some species also exhibit suicidal biting as a defense strategy, where they bite an intruder and remain attached.
Why Bees Sting and What Happens Next
Bees primarily sting as a defensive measure to protect themselves or their colony from perceived threats. This behavior is often a last resort, triggered when a bee feels its hive, food stores, or its own life is in danger. When a bee stings, it injects venom, a complex mixture of proteins and other compounds, into the perceived threat. This venom causes pain and can deter predators.
The outcome for the bee after stinging depends on its species and the nature of its stinger. Worker honey bees die after stinging due to their barbed stinger. Most other bee species, including bumblebees and solitary bees, have smooth stingers, allowing them to withdraw their stinger and survive to sting multiple times. Stinging is an instinctive act aimed at ensuring the survival of the individual or, more often, the colony.