Bumblebees do sting, but only the females possess the physical anatomy required to deliver a sting. These fuzzy, round-bodied insects, belonging to the genus Bombus, are often seen peacefully foraging for nectar and pollen, contributing to the common perception that they are harmless. While generally docile, a sting can occur when a bee feels threatened or is accidentally harmed. Understanding their defensive behavior is important for safely coexisting with these pollinators.
The Anatomy of a Bumblebee Sting
The ability to sting is exclusive to the female members of the colony, including worker bees and the queen. The stinger is a modified ovipositor, an organ originally used for egg-laying in ancestral insects. Male bumblebees, or drones, do not possess this organ and are incapable of stinging.
The physical structure of the bumblebee stinger is the most significant factor differentiating it from that of the honey bee. The stinger is smooth, lacking the large, backward-facing barbs found on a worker honey bee’s stinger. This allows the bumblebee to easily withdraw its stinger after injecting venom. Since the stinger does not become lodged in the skin, the bee does not die after a stinging event and can sting repeatedly if she perceives an ongoing threat. The injected venom is a cocktail of proteins responsible for the immediate pain and localized swelling.
Understanding Bumblebee Temperament and Defensive Behavior
Bumblebees are non-aggressive, using stinging as a purely defensive mechanism. They are less inclined to sting than social wasps or honey bees, primarily because their colonies are smaller and they do not maintain massive stores of honey to defend. A foraging bumblebee focused on gathering nectar and pollen will rarely initiate a sting unless directly provoked.
A sting typically occurs when the bee feels physically trapped, such as being accidentally stepped on, sat upon, or roughly handled. Disturbing a nest, often located in abandoned rodent burrows or dense grass, is another common trigger for a defensive response. When threatened, the bee may exhibit a characteristic “warning buzzing” before deploying its stinger. Unlike the aggressive territorial defense seen in some other stinging insects, the bumblebee’s primary goal is usually to escape the situation.
First Aid and Symptom Management
If a sting occurs, remain calm and gently move away from the area to prevent further stings. Because the bumblebee stinger is smooth, it rarely remains embedded in the skin, making immediate removal unnecessary. The site of the sting should be washed thoroughly with soap and water to clean the wound.
Localized reactions are the most common outcome, characterized by immediate pain, redness, and swelling. Applying a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth helps reduce both the swelling and the pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers and oral antihistamines may also be used to manage discomfort and itching.
Monitor the person for signs of a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms requiring immediate emergency medical attention include difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or dizziness and a rapid pulse. Individuals with a known severe allergy should administer an epinephrine auto-injector, if available, and seek emergency care without delay.