Bees are often perceived as insects that sting, a view largely shaped by encounters with a few well-known social species, such as honey bees. The insect order Hymenoptera, which includes bees, is immensely diverse, containing over 20,000 known species globally. The vast majority of these species are solitary and non-aggressive. The ability to sting is not universal across all bees, nor is it present in every individual within a hive. This establishes exceptions to the stinging rule at both the species level and among individuals within a colony.
Stingless Bees: The Primary Non-Stinging Group
The most significant exception is the tribe Meliponini, commonly known as stingless bees, which comprises over 600 species. These social insects are found exclusively in tropical and subtropical regions, including South America, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. They represent a major lineage of bees in these warmer climates, often serving as important pollinators.
The term “stingless” describes function rather than anatomy. Members of the Meliponini tribe possess a stinger, but it is highly reduced and vestigial. This structure is non-functional as a weapon against humans or other large threats, making them practically incapable of stinging. This characteristic has led to their widespread practice in meliponiculture, or bee-keeping, in their native regions.
Examples include species from the genera Melipona and Tetragonula, which are major honey producers in the Neotropics and Asia. The reduction of the sting apparatus is an evolutionary trait distinguishing them from their close relatives, the honey bees (Apini).
Non-Stinging Individuals Within Hive Structures
Even in species known for stinging, such as the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), not all individuals can sting. This distinction is based on biological sex. The stinger is a modified ovipositor, a reproductive organ for egg-laying, meaning only females possess this defense mechanism.
The male bee, known as the drone, lacks a stinger entirely. Drones are fundamentally incapable of stinging, regardless of provocation. Their sole role is to mate with a queen, and they do not participate in foraging or hive defense. Drones are often visibly different from worker bees, possessing larger eyes and a bulkier, more rounded abdomen.
The queen bee, while female, possesses a fully developed stinger but almost never uses it for defense against intruders. Her stinger is reserved primarily for battles with rival queens during colony establishment or succession. For practical purposes involving human interaction, the queen is considered a non-stinging individual.
Alternative Defense Mechanisms of Stingless Species
Without a functional stinger, the Meliponini tribe has evolved a variety of non-lethal strategies to protect their nests. One common method involves aggressive mass attacks. When a colony is disturbed, numerous worker bees will swarm the intruder, often targeting hair, eyes, and ears.
Many species also employ aggressive biting, using strong mandibles to latch onto an attacker’s skin. In some species, such as those in the genus Trigona, this biting can be persistent and painful. Other species have mandibular secretions that can cause mild irritation or blistering.
Another defense is the use of sticky materials, such as plant resin or propolis, to immobilize threats. Workers coat the intruder with these viscous substances, trapping smaller pests or gumming up the sensory organs of larger ones. Certain stingless bee species also have specialized soldier castes. These workers are physically larger and dedicated to guarding the narrow hive entrance, actively fending off other insects and small predators.