Why does a bee die after it stings you?

Question

Why does a bee die after it stings you?

Answer 1

According to an article on Ask Yahoo, female honeybees die after they sting someone. The stingers extend from the abdomen, so when they sting someone the stinger is left inside the body and the bee rips their abdomen. They only die when they sting mammals because of the thickness of our skin.

Answer 2

FACT or FICTION? Honey bees can sting people only once.

    FACT.  It is a myth that Africanized bees are more dangerous because, unlike domestic bees, they can sting you repeatedly. A portion of the bee's abdomen remains in the skin of humans (and most animals) with the stinger when she flies away, and she dies soon afterward. Honey bees can sting only other insects repeatedly -- and still live.

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 at the base of the stinger causes other bees in the vicinity to get riled up.

Fortunately, only about one out of a hundred people are allergic to bee stings, but allergic reactions can be very serious. Yahoo! Health suggests that if you are bit, don't squeeze the bite -- you'll just pump more venom into your system. Try gently scraping off the stinger with a butter knife or a credit card. Of course, if it really hurts, seek medical help.

Answer 3

Firstly, this is not true of most bee species - it is true of honeybees.

The stinger of a honeybee is "hooked" on the end to that it sticks in you when they sting.  When the bee leaves, the stinger stays behind and so does part of the bees abdomen, which the stinger is attached to.  They literally rip part of their bodies off by stinging you, and this wound is fatal.

Wasps/Hornets/Yellowjackets etc. can sting multiple times and then leave without damaging themseleves.

Answer 4

thats just what they tell you so that you feel better after you get stung.

make it a good day