Beekeeping Academy | Ep. 7 | An Overview of Honey Bee Stings
# Beekeeping Academy | Ep. 7 | An Overview of Honey Bee Stings
## The History and Biology of Bee Stings
Bees sting for defense, but the stinger has not always been used for defense. Honey bees belong to a group called hymenoptera, which includes sawflies, wasps, ants, and bees. While bees sting for defense, some wasps use their stinger for laying eggs. Only female bees can sting, as stingers are modified ovipositors. Female worker bees have barbed stingers that can get stuck in the skin when they sting.
## The Sting Anatomy
The sting anatomy of a honey bee is a remarkable piece of bee anatomy. It consists of a shaft, a muscular bulb, venom sac, and venom gland. The venom glands produce the chemical that causes pain and reactions when stung. The muscular bulb beats like a heart, pumping venom from the sac through the shaft into the skin. The shaft is made up of lancets and a stylet, which dig further into the skin as the bee stings. The barbs on the stinger hold the skin, making it difficult for the bee to remove the stinger.
## Reasons for Bee Stings
There are two main situations where you might get stung by a honey bee. Accidental stings can occur when you step on or squash a bee. However, if you are being stung multiple times, you are likely too close to the honey bee nest. Bees sting to communicate that you are too close to their nest and need to move away to protect their resources.
This overview of honey bee stings provides valuable insight into the history, biology, and anatomy of bee stings. Understanding why bees sting and how their stingers work can help beekeepers prevent and address stings effectively. Stay tuned for future episodes on the body’s reaction to bee stings and tips on preventing and managing bee stings in beekeeping practices.
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