Bumble bees possess a stinger and can sting, though they are generally considered non-aggressive insects that prefer to avoid confrontation. Stinging is a defensive behavior, and a bumble bee will typically only use its stinger when it feels physically threatened, trapped, or when its nest is disturbed. Their docile nature means that a sting is a relatively rare event compared to other stinging insects like wasps or hornets. Understanding the biology of the bumble bee’s stinger and its behavior can help reduce anxiety around these important pollinators.
Which Bumble Bees Carry a Stinger
Only female bumble bees, which include both queens and worker bees, possess the anatomical structure capable of delivering a sting. The stinger is not a separate weapon but is a modified ovipositor, the egg-laying organ found in female insects. This evolutionary repurposing means the organ remains linked exclusively to the female anatomy. Male bumble bees, known as drones, do not have this feature and are entirely incapable of stinging. A male bee may sometimes fly aggressively toward a perceived threat, but this is merely a defensive bluff. Identifying a male bee can be difficult for a non-specialist, so caution should always be observed around any bee.
The Stinging Mechanism and Behavior
The mechanism of a bumble bee’s sting allows it to be used repeatedly without suffering fatal injury. Unlike some other bee species, the bumble bee stinger is smooth and lacks the prominent barbs that would cause it to anchor in the skin. This smooth structure allows the bee to quickly retract its stinger after injecting venom, permitting multiple stings. The venom is a cocktail of proteins and enzymes that causes localized pain and swelling at the site of the sting. Stinging incidents generally occur when a bee is accidentally squeezed, stepped on, or when a person is too close to a nest entrance, which the bee perceives as a direct physical threat.
How Bumble Bee Stings Differ from Honey Bees
The primary difference between a bumble bee sting and a honey bee sting lies in the structure of the stinger itself. A honey bee possesses a barbed stinger, similar to a fish hook, which embeds in tough skin when stinging a mammal. Attempting to fly away causes the stinger, venom sac, and a portion of the abdomen to be torn away. This abdominal rupture is fatal, meaning a honey bee dies shortly after stinging. The smooth, non-barbed stinger of the bumble bee prevents this self-destructive outcome, allowing it to survive and sting again. Furthermore, bumble bee stings are often perceived as less painful and may carry less venom than a honey bee sting.