Why do bees die after they sting something or someone?

Question

Why do bees die after stinging someone? Do they know they will die? What about the stinger is so critical?

Answer 1

When a bee stings the sting is barbed and it's hooks secure it in the flesh, the sting, the still active venom gland and much of the internal organs of the bee are ripped from it and left attached to whatever is stung to continue pumping venom into the victim. Whether the bee knows it will die or not is an interesting question (does a bee know anything on that level?) but rather irrelevant since it's instincts mean that it will sacrifice itself to protect the hive (which makes sense since most bees can't breed and only insure the survival of their species by protecting the queen).

Answer 2

Because their stingers are barbed they remain hooked into what ever it is the bee has stung and it is ripped from their bodies, causing a mortal wound. Wasps and their ilk however do not have barbed stingers as that is why wasps and hornets can sting repeatedly.

Answer 3

it should be noted that only honey bees have the barbed stinger. bumble bees (the big fuzzy ones) leaf cutter bees, sweat bees, etc etc do not have barbs and subsequently can sting as much as they want. of course these bees are also fairly calm relaxed bees.

in a similar note the honey bees sting stays in you so that it can continue pumping venom inside. so even though it only stings you once it injects a considerable amount of venom. it doesn't need to sting you more than once.

Answer 4

The stinger gets stuck in the flesh and when the bee tries to fly away it's guts get pulled out of it's body because they are attached to the stinger.
A queen bee can sting as many times as she wants to and still survive.

Answer 5

If your butt came off after you stung someone, you'd probably die too.

Answer 6

here is the same question previously asked.