Honey Bee

Widely considered the most beneficial insect to man, the honey bee is responsible for pollinating more than 100 crops in the United States. In fact, she is estimated to be involved in about 80 percent of the food we eat.

But even though she’s helpful, the honey bee can sting! When she does, her stinger, venom sac and muscle are released from her body. Soon after, she’ll die.

But don’t despair. One colony of honey bees can contain up to 80,000 members!

Fascinating Facts

• Busy bee. In order to make just one pound of honey, foraging honey bees must collect nectar from nearly 2 million flowers!
• The royal treatment. If the queen of a honey bee colony dies, the workers will create a new one by feeding one of the females a special food called “royal jelly.”

 

Learn about other Stingers: