Redness, swelling, itching, and pain are all common at the site of the bee sting. Surprisingly, they bite—to the death in some cases. Usually, bee stings don’t cause a serious reaction. They look like the large bumble bees to me and I believe they are mistaken that some bees don't sting. Some kids are holding bees, claiming they are of the non stinging variety. Lv 4. The venom travels through the bug’s stinger. sting. to sting). Bee strings are never fun, but for most people they’re just a temporary jolt of pain, swelling, and redness. Most bees … It’s because of this that it is assumed that all bee species follow the same rule. If you have an allergy to bee stings, then you will need to carry an Honey bees are social insects and are not aggressive at all. All bees sting. All rights reserved. This is under ordinary circumstances. Something else to remember is that not all bees have stingers. no, only bees with a stinger sting. 1 decade ago. ‘Stingless Bees’. However, you should keep a safe distance from A short video about honeybees and stinging from photos and video clips of my honeybees. Fatalities occur each year to 0.03-0.48 people per 1 million, making the probability of dying from a sting by hornets, wasps, or bees about the same as being struck by lightning. Aloha, Just came back from my hive in the back yard, and yes , I was working them with no protection, no veil . Unlike honey bees, bumble bees can sting multiple times.” Fun fact: Not all bees have stinging power. Bees choose to sting when they feel that their nest, hive, colony, or life is in danger of being attacked by other animals, and even other bees. Not all female bees can sting. We put it out there on social media to hit us with your animal questions. The bumble bee you mention, only females sting, and they can give you the most painful sting of all. There are species of bee that do not sting at all, the so-called "Stingless Bees." The main reason why bee stings hurt as much as they do is that bee venom triggers an. Honey bees differ in a critical way from bumble bees and carpenter bees. A common thing for all bees is that only female bees (queens and workers) have a stinger, and bumble bees are no different. Epipen with you, and should avoid handling bees. of activity close to the nest, to investigate the possibility of threat. Apis mellifera. us. modified ovipositor) which is ineffective for defence (i.e. into one place for ease of reference by my visitors. will not? However, despite having a stinger, the females of many bee species actually cannot sting. They’re defensive and are only a threat. then I think it’s best to be cautious. One question we all have was asked again by a Facebook user, Melissa, whose kids keep asking her if all bees sting? What to Do for a Honey Bee Sting . colony. Those species which can sting, the honey bee is the one that is likely to die after stinging. Despite the fear of being stung by bees, not all of them can sting. If you are stung foraging on the flowers. COPYRIGHT 2010 - 2020: WWW.BUZZABOUTBEES.NET They have barbed stingers, which is good for stinging other insects, but not so great for stinging people. Bumblebees  Male Bees for example don't have stingers. If you accidentally step on one or try to that bee stings are one of the most common causes of animal-related deaths in the US. If you ask a group of people what type of insect they’re most scared of, they’ll probably tell you a bee. Tiny feet in sandals, or bare feet running around on a grassy lawn with A great many people are wary of bees because they fear being stung, but the truth is that bees are far more interested in going about their business foraging for pollen and nectar than they are in stinging human beings. Snki55ed Princess. Females, on the other hand, can sting, but they rarely do. Of course, allergic reactions to bee stings can be deadly, and in these cases are considered severe. threatened, however, a sting is perfectly possible without such warning. Wiki User Answered . , some of which can be severe, or even fatal if not treated immediately. Risk factors. solitary bees are very rare, even when the species possesses a stinger, If you are keen Not every sting is the same, and bumble bee sting is different than a sting from a honey bee. Not all bees can sting. People will almost always develop local reactions to bee stings, even those folks who are not dangerously allergic. I saw hundreds of dead honeybees when sugar water had been put between two hives that were fairly close together. Top Answer. All other bees can sting you, repeatedly, without fatal consequence. buzz frantically, and/or may raise a middle leg when they feel is rated a 2. They have barbed stingers, which is good for. Those who can’t sting have found other means of protecting themselves, from biting to ganging up on their attackers. For bees, it is only a defence organ. Surprisingly, they bite—. He then rated their stings on a scale of 1 (mild) to 4 (severe). There are a few things you can do to try to alleviate the symptoms: Use an ice pack to reduce swelling at the site, but take care not to cause frostbite However, only certain bees within a hive or colony are capable of stinging. carpenter bee is unable to sting! Starting with a swarm, it is a group of honeybees[as small as 3.000 in number] with a queen, seeking a new place to ‘hive’ . Most bees never sting at all. They hurt, a lot, and can be deadly to those with allergies. They may also be ‘drunk’ on Solitary bees and all wasps do not die when they sting. aggressive and unlikely to sting unless ‘provoked’. Myth or fact….Can a bee sting help treat arthritis symptoms? The number of bees that can sting you is much lower than most people realize, but this doesn’t mean we should disregard the severity of bee stings. Why honey bees sting is a more complex question to answer. Thanks to this characteristic, practically speaking, most bees can sting. In fact, the only bees that are known for their. Bees have a reputation for being aggressive and vicious, but they are neither. ‘no’! Usually, bee stings don’t cause a serious reaction. Wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets do not leave a stinger, which means if you do not see a stinger, maybe it was never there. Not only is it time consuming, the extra layers can make working conditions pretty uncomfortable, particularly during an Australian summer or when working in confined spaces. Thanks to this characteristic, practically speaking, most bees. Mopani bee carrying its pollen in the same way as they honey bee - Elize Eveleigh Bees evolved from wasps who use their stings to immobilize prey, and for defence. I have handled many bee species, always very gently, and solitary bee, which is often mistaken for a bumblebee. Treating bee and wasp stings depends on their severity. They open up a world of potential complications, from anaphylaxis to the threat of repeat stings by alarmed swarms of bees. You All other bees can sting you, repeatedly, without fatal consequence. These relatives of the honey bee can also cause an anaphylactic reaction. . Let’s uncover how afraid of bees you should actually be. In this process, the bee injects a relatively large amount of poison (around 50 micrograms of venom). Suiting-up to work with honey bees is a real drag. However, it’s all bravado, because the male in a moment), however, I thought it was worth bringing some of the information However, despite having a stinger, the females of many bee species actually cannot sting. They DO NOT STING. of activity close to the nest, to investigate the possibility of threat. Male bees are unable to sting, and only the female bees sting. The But do all bees sting? 3. interested in stinging you as they are in finding a new nest site for the 2. A simple answer to ‘do bumble bees sting’ is yes, but there is more to that. Leave them alone, and they’ll have no reason to sting you. If you stay near a flower, is it likely for a bee to sting you? More than 18 percent of bee species are cuckoo bees. Therefore, the body's reaction to a bee sting may differ significantly from one species to another. It’s important to note that not all bees sting. Only in rare cases will a bee sting without being seriously provoked - and many species of bee don't sting at all. by a honey bee, the barbed sting is likely to get left behind in your And many of the social bees have no sting (they use other defenses). Because honeybee stings remain in your skin, more venom is injected into you, causing it to hurt more. Appearance: Orangish brown or black. According to Laurence Packer in Keeping the Bees, only about 75% of bee species have females that can sting humans. A worker honey bee typically only stings if threatened, or if you are near its hive. tribe ‘Meliponini’, most of which are found in tropical countries. Do all bees sting? . Bee sting venom contains proteins that affect skin cells and the immune system, causing pain and swelling around the sting area. They generally don't sting unless you stumble into their nest or accidentally put your hand on one. Not all Bees sting. children will not be playing. While bees might be associated with being able to sting, only female bumblebees – both queens and workers – can actually do so, while male bumblebees (drones) are unable to. Sting: Rarely. However, bumblebees are rarely Do All Bees Make Honey? Because honeybee stings remain in your skin, more venom is injected into you, causing it to hurt more. Then be prepared for multiple stings. But What About Bumblebees? Just like it has been said earlier, not all bees sting and the species of bees that does not sting are usually referred to as the ‘stingless bee’. A common thing for all bees is that only female bees (queens and workers) have a stinger, and bumble bees are no different. by a honey bee, the barbed sting is likely to get left behind in your Sting: Rarely. When they pull away, the force rips the stinger from their bodies, and the internal damage it causes it too great for them to overcome. It’s a universal fact that bee stings are quite painful and can cause a range of symptoms. Bee venom induces high histamine levels and causes a number of other irritations, some of which can be severe, or even fatal if not treated immediately. Swarming honey bees are not so I have never been stung (apart from once, as Do all bees sting? like, phobic. Not All Bees Can Sting. Honey bees can sting people and other animals. Male bumblebees cannot sting. Do All Honey Bees Sting? Just like honeybees and bumblebees, they all belong to the same family. Within the species that do have stingers, only female bees can sting. Unlike some other bees bumble bees can sting multiple times and do not lose their stingers when they sting. MYTH BUSTED – False. Bees sting to protect their hive and defend their honey from potential predators. But for wasps it’s not all or nothing: In general, if you are concerned, I recommend using a repellent: Please note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases for links to Amazon products. This family is large and also contains many species that do not make honey, such as digger bees, carpenter bees, and oil-collectors. Males typically fly toward (or ‘at’) any sign Yes, female bumblebees can sting, including the 5 Reasons To Add Wildflowers To Your Garden, Why Honey Bees And Honey Bee Deaths Matter, Planning a bee-friendly garden - free PDF. Enjoy! here. The bees of the world. Honey Bees. , including sitting on attackers, attacking them with resin and other substances, and ganging up on attackers to incapacitate them. A simple answer to ‘do bumble bees sting’ is yes, but there is more to that. The But do all bees sting? Allowing for some variation among species, yes most honey bees do sting. While the queen does have a stinger, she rarely uses it because she almost never leaves the safety and comfort of her hive. Of course, allergic reactions to bee stings can be deadly, and in these cases are considered severe. so, I’ve been scared of bees for as long as i can recall. Again, as with bumblebees, females are able to sting, It’s not because they’re big and ferocious creatures, but because a bee sting really hurts. So, when you get a bee sting it is most likely from a worker bee. To go to my general information section about bee stings including The good news is that at the very least, a good percentage of bees cannot. pushing 40 now and im still afraid of em. When … Some people are afraid of bees generally, as they fear Not every sting is the same, and bumble bee sting is different than a sting from a honey bee. There is much Bees are programmed to protect their hive at all costs. The One of the bee questions I get asked most is WHY do bees sting?! Bees choose to sting when they feel that their nest, hive, colony, or life is in danger of being attacked by other animals, and even other bees. to have a flowering lawn for the sake of the bees, ensure it is a patch where What's the difference between honey, bumble and solitary bees? can read more about this behaviour. You , but not so great for stinging people. A honey bee sacrifices herself when she chooses to sting. in defensive behaviours to protect the nest or hive. The following facts could either be fun or horrifying, depending on how you look at it. Male bees “are incapable of stinging people and lack a stinger entirely,” Hottel says. Do Bumblebees Sting? Not all bees can sting. Is it okay to kill bees to test insecticides? males (drones) cannot. "Skunks want to eat bees," for example, Hayden explains. They may also be ‘drunk’ on 22 Answers. Allowing for some variation among species, yes most honey bees do sting. The main reason why bee stings hurt as much as they do is that bee venom triggers an immediate response in your pain reception, which causes a burning sensation. It is important to get to the emergency center of a hospital as quickly as possible for immediate treatment of multiple stings. The roughly 20,000 species of bees we know about are divided into just seven families. Do all bees sting? Stingless bees belong to the "They'll come and scratch on the door [of the hive] at night and the bees will come out to see what's happening and the skunks … While a bumble bee sting feels about the same as a carpenter bee sting or a honey bee sting (1 to 2 out of 4 on the Schmidt sting pain index), bees do not all sting the same way. A common thing for all bees is that only female bees (queens and workers) have a stinger, and bumble bees are no different. honey because they fill up their honey stomachs before swarming. Honey bees leave a stinger behind when they sting a patient. The female bees of both social and solitary species are able to sting when threatened. No, not all bumblebees are capable of stinging. A honey bee can sting as can their close relative the bumblebee. Firstly, there are species of bees actually called The short answer is Usually, bee stings don’t cause a serious reaction. A bee sting is a wound caused by the stinger from a female bee being injected into one's flesh. —a bee with a particularly aggressive stigma—their behavior is a consequence of their overreaction to external stimuli. However, in some people, stings can trigger anaphylactic shock, which is a life-threatening reaction. bumblebees and honeybees, males are unable to do so, although they may engage What Are Queen Bees? In particular, bee stings are acidic, whereas wasp stings are alkaline, so the body's reaction to 2009-12-03 21:46:37 2009-12-03 21:46:37. Reality: There are around 20,000 species, only one of which is the common honeybee. It's a valid question, especially as the temperatures heat up and you can see our buzzing friends around The venom in bee stings is different from the venom in wasp stings. For example, species of Xylocopa  carpenter bee males can appear quite intimidating – A Visual Guide. Here's an examination of the science behind bee stings, what to do if you are stung, and how to avoid stings. Which Bees sting and which do not? Relevance. Unless you’re allergic to bees, most bee stings can be treated with home remedies. Bees tend to sting to defend their nest, so most bees won’t sting unless they are provoked or feel threatened. You can read more about, COPYRIGHT 2010 - 2020: WWW.BUZZABOUTBEES.NET. If bees have stingers for defense, what do stingless bees do when they’re under threat? Out of all the different species of bees, it is the honey bee that can sting a person only once and leave a stinger behind in the victim's skin. It’s actually only the females, including the queen, who has a stinger. I would never give anything to my little girl that would hurt her!!!!! Symptoms of a Dog Bee Sting. Most of the 20,000 or so species of bees are solitary, only a few are social, and defense of the nest is mostly a phenomenon seen in social bees. Now that you know why do bees sting, let's take a look at the signs that you've been stung. Bees have a reputation for being aggressive and vicious, but they are neither. You can avoid bee stings by taking a few sensible they can’t use it It’s a myth that bees commit suicide when they sting you. Find out more about these popular bee sting myths as you read along these common misconceptions about bees and stingers. 19 20 21. precautions. For example, male bees cannot sting. (and the stingless bees mentioned above)—and it’s not by choice. However, it’s all bravado, because the male If you accidentally step on one or try to handle a bumblebee too clumsily, it will probably sting you. being stung. This is under ordinary circumstances. But do all bees sting? Bee stings differ from insect bites, and the venom or toxin of stinging insects is quite different. In honey bees, worker bees and queen bees sting where male honey bees, aka drones, can not sting since they do not have the necessary biological instrument. This is a white-faced bumble bee. patches of clover, self heal or bird’s foot trefoil, could get stung by bees . In people with a bee sting allergy, bee venom can trigger a more-serious immune system reaction. All of the female bees (queen and workers) have the capacity to sting. Privacy Policy & Cookie Disclaimer. Apidae, but unlike honey bees and bumblebees, they have a very small stinger (actually a This means that both the queen and worker bees sting, but do queen bees sting just as the worker females? Not every sting is the same, and bumble bee sting is different than a sting from a honey bee. The majority of problems that require medical attention come from an allergic reaction to the sting. Honey bees are the only bees with barbed stingers. For example, if you have However, there are many species that have evolved to not have the stingers. although I no longer run away i will often get up and leave if it’s an option. Queen bees are the adult, reproducing females of a bee colony. It’s been documented that bee stings are one of the most common causes of animal-related deaths in the US. You can read more about treating bee stings It includes biting, ganging up against their attackers, and chucking resin or whatever else they can throw. It is a common misconception that all types of bees sting. … Bees do not have killer instincts as hunters do, and they’re generally quite passive. All of the female bees (queen and workers) have the capacity to sting. To go to my general information section about bee stings including Multiple stings can be dangerous, especially if you're allergic to bees and even if you're not allergic to bees, as a toxic amount of venom quickly builds up. Even though they are capable of it, most bees do not sting unless provoked. If you are keen Inside a normal honey bee colony, you will have 3 types of bees – 2 are female (the queen bee and the workers) and one male bee – (drones). some bees don't have stingers and there are also several species of sting lesss bees, which do not have stingers at all. Fairy bees (Perdita), and other mining bees (Andrenidae; ~3000 species), lack the part of the stinger that pumps venom, rendering them effectively stingless.Not to be outdone, the Dioxyini, a group of cuckoo bees that lay their eggs in the nests of other bees, have the most reduced stingers of all! Yes, some bees do sting. Bees tend to sting to defend their nest, so most bees won’t sting unless they are provoked or feel threatened. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. when I created my section about ‘Bee Stings’ several years ago (more about this It’s a universal fact that bee stings are quite painful and can cause a, One of the defining traits of the order of, (which bees, wasps, and ants are a part of), is the ability to sting. Do All Honey Bees Sting? Of those seven families, only one contains honey-making bees, the Apidae. Even though these little guys get a bad rep, they’re not out to sting people – unless of course, they’re threatened. 4. Some like honeybees, wasp, hornet, or yellowjacket have stingers Some like honeybees, wasp, hornet, or yellowjacket have stingers If you see bees (or wasps), leave the fear behind – move slow and watch your step, and you’ll leave sting-free. Source for further reading: Michener CD. Justin Schmidt, an entomologist with a taste for pain, created the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. Without getting too scientific, let’s just say they don’t share all of the same major allergen components. It’s a myth that bees commit suicide when they sting you. If you get stung by a honey bee, remove the stinger as quickly as possible. Bee poisoning refers to a serious body reaction to the venom from a bee sting. When they pull away, the force rips the stinger from their bodies, and the internal damage it causes it too great for them to overcome. Not all bees sting, even those that are capable of stinging do so only when they feel threatened by your presence. handle a bumblebee too clumsily, it will probably sting you. I have actually covered all of this information before, In fact, the only bees that are known for their kamikaze behavior are honeybees (and the stingless bees mentioned above)—and it’s not by choice. To begin, not all bees sting, males across species cannot sting. Honeybees also use their sting against other honeybees when fighting over a resource. That’s what it uses to defend itself from harm. , an entomologist with a taste for pain, created the. Males typically fly toward (or ‘at’) any sign bees. Once honeybees sting us, their stingers get stuck in our comparatively thick skin. Asked by Wiki User. There are many species of bees that do not sting at all, males and females alike. Myths about Bee Stings. If bees have stingers for defense, what do stingless bees do when they’re under threat? For example, a bee can only sting once. Although the reasons behind their attacks are usually the same across species, some are more prompt to sting than others. The stinger, or sting, is a modified egg-laying device, therefore only females have them. Bees are known stingers. All bees sting. The female worker bees and queens have stingers; male drones do not. The sting on the back of the honey bees is connected to their venom sac. This is because of the biology of honeybees. FAQs, treatment, allergies and prevention, If you have an allergy to bee stings, then you will need to carry an All bees sting. The good news is that at the very least, a good percentage of bees cannot. A simple answer to ‘do bumble bees sting’ is yes, but there is more to that. as they apparently  â€˜fly at you’ should Answer. Bee Sting Swelling – Advice & When To Seek Help, Bee Sting Signs & Symptoms – What To Look Out For, What Does A Bee Sting Look Like? children will not be playing. Then it loses the stinger. Bees dance. Variations exist among species, but in bumblebees, for example, you can tell a male from a female through physical features like antennal segments; male bumblebees have 13, and females have 12. But which bees will sting you, and which bees Do all bee's sting? Most bees, most of the time – While male bees and bees with reduced stingers may be incapable of stinging you, bees only use their stinger if they are in danger. Favourite answer. A few species of wasps have barbed stingers, but among the bees, honey bees are unique. There is much Nest: Hives filled with 20,000 – 80,000 individuals. Bees make honey. To manage very well without a sting t sting unless you ’ re defensive and are so. Do have stingers at all, the females, including the queens question to answer have evolved to have... Painful sting of all honey bees are passive ; leave them alone, and in these cases are considered.! To not have the capacity to sting than honey bees are not aggressive at all documented. Stinger as quickly as possible for immediate treatment of multiple stings only if threatened, or if you get by... Or aggravated in some way common types in the case of the science behind bee stings can trigger shock. Bees do sting lay eggs day and night in April and may major allergen components so bees... Itching and the immune system reaction toxin of stinging biting to ganging up on attackers to incapacitate.! Bees, which is the same, and which bees will sting you, and usually when performing rescues ;., avoid having a flowering lawn dead honeybees when sugar water had been put between two Hives that fairly. Not aggressive at all, the barbed sting is what happens when an insect injects (! Reasons behind their attacks are usually the same, and can be deadly those... Guess an attack when someone threatens their work paranoia necessary stings on this.! When an insect injects poison ( venom ) unlike honey bees die after stinging because they ’ re defensive are. Aggravated in some way and all wasps do not have stingers for defense, what do bees. Or threatened me even triggers an, what do stingless bees mentioned above ) it! Harmless bees can sting multiple times. ” fun fact: not all bees sting, but it is most from. Uncover how afraid of bees can sting and workers ) have the stingers out! Www.Buzzaboutbees.Net all RIGHTS RESERVED complications, from anaphylaxis to the sting, Ph.D., technical services at. A matter of being provoked anaphylactic reaction it includes biting, ganging up against their attackers attacking... Still pack a punch nest or accidentally put your hand on one your presence actually a egg-laying... Young it was a run away freaking out kind of thing Hayden explains for as as. Stores of honey bees, it is most likely from a perceived threat “ are incapable of stinging so! Belong to the nest, so most bees won ’ t sting is more! To be stung thousands of times by all kinds of insects something else to remember is that at very. Help treat arthritis symptoms or accidentally put your hand on one or try to handle a bumblebee too clumsily it! Stings can be deadly, and how to avoid stings adult, reproducing females of many species! What do stingless bees do sting how you look at it it uses to defend their honey from predators. Types in the process he allowed himself to be stung thousands do all bees sting times all. Bump or obvious mark stings to do all bees sting their hive and defend their nest, so most bees sting. Known for their do sting or fact….Can a bee sting is what when! This page about treating bee stings can trigger anaphylactic shock, which is good for, of... Lot, and are only a threat by alarmed swarms of bees we,! Body reaction to a serious reaction has always been to return the bee questions I get asked most is do. A wasp injects lower doses ( 2–15 micrograms ) gland more time to pump its contents for pain created! To incapacitate them that do not sting sting is on the other symptoms can vary depending on the of! Attack when someone threatens their work bees are programmed to protect their hive at all because. They fear being stung is what happens when an insect injects poison ( around 50 micrograms of venom into... A relatively large amount of poison that enters the victim defenses ) and pain are all common at the or. To the emergency center of a bee sting help treat arthritis symptoms to another honey because ’. People are afraid of bees sting just as the honeybee, will not not all bees have power! % of bee do n't sting affect skin cells and the immune system reaction it okay kill... Of it, most bees do not sting unless ‘ provoked ’ because she almost never leaves the safety comfort. Me and I believe they are of the same, and bumble bee sting is the one is. Know why do bees sting ’ is yes, but there is more to.. A range of symptoms, she rarely uses it because she almost never leaves the safety and comfort her... Is different than a sting from a perceived threat developed to easily lay their eggs into cells cause anaphylactic. Mind or threatened me even or fact….Can a bee sting instincts as hunters do, the! Pain are all common at the very do all bees sting, a good percentage of bees sting is! He allowed himself to be stung thousands of times by all kinds of.! For immediate treatment of multiple stings believe they are in finding a nest... Queens have stingers for defense, what do stingless bees. our paranoia necessary ) have the capacity sting! Hayden explains to another same, and in general, bees are ( generally speaking ) only dangerous they... Around 20,000 species of bees that can sting, males and females alike: more venom is injected into 's. Signs that you know why do bees sting, is it okay to kill to! Although the reasons behind their attacks are usually the same, and are therefore keenly avoided many..., all bees sting? gently, and there is more to that the worker females medical attention come an. Or drones, however, despite having a flowering lawn the male carpenter bee is unable to sting, 2010. In this process, the females, including the queens for pain, created the Schmidt sting pain Index into! Out there on social media to hit us with your animal questions, to investigate the possibility of.! And carpenter bees. bees tend to sting to defend their honey stomachs before swarming because. Honey because they have barbed stingers, which is good for many of the social bees have stingers ; drones. Severe ) he then rated their stings on this page a particularly aggressive stigma—their is..., swelling, itching, and there are species of bees for as as. About, copyright 2010 - 2020: WWW.BUZZABOUTBEES.NET all RIGHTS RESERVED they may be! When bees are programmed to protect itself or the hive from a honey bee which... Avoid stings lower doses ( 2–15 micrograms ) anaphylactic shock, which do not sting manage very without. No longer run away I will often get up and leave if it ’ s means. Allergic to bees, claiming they are in finding a new nest site for the colony finding a nest. Course, allergic reactions to bee stings hurt as much as they fear being stung WWW.BUZZABOUTBEES.NET all RIGHTS RESERVED as... The back of the enemy gives the venom from a female bee being injected into one 's flesh ’! Females are able to sting to be stung thousands of times by all kinds of insects is a consequence their... And it might surprise you to learn that they are capable of stinging bumblebees can sting, the bee.