Why do bees die when they sting?

How a bee is built

Outwardly, bees are similar to other insects. Her body is also divided into a head, a chest region and a body. Overall, the workers reach a size of approx. 1.5 cm.

• The proboscis, antennae, mouthparts and compound eyes are located on the bee's head. Here is the epicenter of the bee's numerous senses.
• The six articulated legs with pollen-collecting devices and the wings extend from the rest of the body. The sting sits on the abdomen. It is a few millimeters long and very thin.
• Inside the bee, in addition to the heart and intestines, there is a so-called lancing device. This mainly consists of a bladder in which the apitoxin, the poison of the bees, is collected.

What happens when a bee stings and why it dies from it

Not every bee is able to sting - only female workers have a fully developed stinging apparatus. In the queens, this has receded in favor of oviposition. That's why when queens sting, they can pull the little stinger out again.

• The sting of a worker looks smooth from the outside, but there are microscopic barbs, similar to a Velcro fastener, on it. This is the most important differentiator to wasp spines.
• When the bee has bored in its stinger, the stinger hangs so tightly in the skin that the bees can no longer pull it out without any problems. The point is that more bee venom flows into the attacker's body.
• If the bee starts flying, the sting and the stinging device tear off. The bee has to die as a result of this injury.

But why is the death of the bee so arranged by nature? A bee only stings to defend itself and, above all, its colony. Since bees live in large colonies, the survival of the individual bee is not a priority. If the bee dies, it sacrifices itself when it stings. By leaving the sting behind with the poisonous bladder, the bee sting is a much more efficient defense than that of the wasp.

How to protect yourself from a bee sting

A bee sting is only life-threatening for very few people, but it is unpleasant. However, with a little caution, you can avoid it.

• Of course, it is advisable not to be near beehives. The residents could feel threatened and often get into turmoil.
• If the encounter with a bee cannot be avoided, it is advisable to remain calm. Defensive movements irritate the animals, they usually interpret such signs as an attack. However, if you stay calm, the bee will quickly lose interest in you. Under no circumstances should you open your mouth, as a bee sting inside the mouth can be very dangerous.
• If you have been stung by a bee, you should avoid being near the beehive, as the dying bee releases an attractant. As a result, more workers are to be called in for defense.

Remember: the bee stings mean the death sentence for them, which is why they only sting in extreme danger.