Why Do Honeybees Die after Stinging?

A bee sting may be painful, but that's nothing compared to the fate of the honeybee once it has lodged its stinger in a victim's skin. Luckily for both victim and attacker, honeybees usually only sting humans when they are roughly handled or they feel their hive is threatened. But when they do sting, it's fatal for them. Honeybees die after stinging because they are unable to easily remove their stingers from those they attack.

The honeybee's stinger is a long, sharp organ used for piercing. It has outer blades that turn as they make contact with flesh and dig in. This results in the stinger becoming anchored in the prey’s flesh and unable to be removed. When the honeybee tries to pull out the stinger from the skin of a human or other mammal, it actually rips out part of the insect's lower abdomen, including its digestive tract, venom sac, glands, and muscles. The honeybee then dies in a manner comparable to a human bleeding to death, except that the insect releases clear fluid instead of blood.

More about honeybees:

• A honeybee's venom has a scent similar to a banana and is typically released to signal to other bees that a threat is present.
• Honeybees can usually sting other insects without losing their stingers. Humans and other mammals have relatively thick skin, which means that honeybees can't easily remove their barbed stingers.
• It is estimated that about one-third of all food eaten in the United States is the result of plant pollination by honeybees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do honeybees die after stinging?

Honeybees have a barbed stinger that gets lodged in the skin of their target. When the bee tries to fly away, the stinger, along with part of its digestive tract, muscles, and nerves, is ripped from the bee's body. This severe injury is fatal, leading to the bee's death shortly after.

Do all bees die after stinging?

No, not all bees die after stinging. Honeybees are the ones that typically die because of their barbed stingers. Other bees, like bumblebees, and wasps, have smooth stingers, allowing them to sting multiple times without dying.

Is the death of a honeybee after stinging an evolutionary disadvantage?

While it may seem counterintuitive, the death of a honeybee after stinging can be seen as an evolutionary advantage for the colony. The bee's sacrifice serves as a deterrent, protecting the hive from predators. The loss of a few bees is outweighed by the safety of the hive and the queen.

How often do honeybees actually sting?

Honeybees are generally non-aggressive and will only sting when they feel threatened or to protect their hive. According to research, a honeybee will typically only sting if it perceives a direct threat to itself or its colony, making stinging a relatively rare occurrence in the life of any individual bee.

What should I do if I'm stung by a honeybee?

If you're stung by a honeybee, it's important to remove the stinger as quickly as possible by scraping it out with a fingernail or a piece of gauze. Avoid squeezing the stinger, which can inject more venom. After removal, wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.

Can anything be done to prevent honeybees from dying after they sting?

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent a honeybee from dying after it stings, as this is a result of their biological makeup. The best prevention is to avoid provoking bees by moving calmly and gently around them, and not disturbing their hives, thus reducing the likelihood of being stung.