Report by Duncan Williams @PulmansWeekly
Bumble bees are fascinating insects that play an important role in pollinating flowering plants. However, they are often feared because of their sting. There is a popular belief that a bumble bee dies if it uses its stinger to string a person, but is there really any truth to this widely held belief?
Firstly, it is important to understand the anatomy of a bumble bee. Like other bees, bumble bees have a stinger that is used for defense. The stinger is located at the end of the bee's abdomen and is connected to venom glands. When a bee stings, the stinger pierces the skin and injects venom into the victim. This venom can cause pain, swelling, and allergic reactions in some individuals.
The myth that a bumble bee dies after using its stinger is partly true, but it applies only to honey bees, not bumble bees. When a honey bee stings a person or animal, the stinger becomes lodged in the skin, and the bee cannot retract it. As a result, the bee's abdom…
