What is the primary purpose of a bee sting?

The primary purpose of a bee sting is as a defensive mechanism. Bees, particularly worker bees, use their stingers to protect themselves, their hive, and their queen from threats. When a bee stings, it injects venom into the perceived threat as a means of defense, effectively deterring predators and intruders. This behavior is crucial for the survival of the colony, as it helps ensure the safety of the hive and its resources.

While bees may gather nectar and perform numerous other activities essential to their ecology, the sting is fundamentally about defense rather than gathering food, marking territory, or attracting others. The defensive aspect is vital, as many of a bee's natural predators are much larger than they are, making a robust defense strategy essential for their survival.