Do bees really die after they sting you?
It’s true — female honeybees die after they sting. Their stingers are actually ovipositors, tubular structures extending from the abdomen that sometimes contain eggs. When the barbed stinger is left inside the victim, the honeybee mortally tears her abdomen in the process. Alas, she dies. Note, however, that only female honeybees die after stinging. Fortunately, honeybees are relatively docile, and only commit suicidal acts when provoked. And they only die if they sting a mammal, because of the thickness of our skin. They can sting other insects with impunity. The mechanics of bee-stinging are fascinating. As Dr. Universe notes, a valve-and-piston motion causes the stinger to both sink itself into your skin, as well as pump venom through the tiny lancets. Also, an “alarm pheromone” secreted
