Contrary to popular belief, only a tiny fraction of bee species (0.04%) experience death after stinging. The European honey bee (Apis mellifera), which is widely distributed globally, is one of the eight species that do. Its barbed stinger gets lodged in the victim’s skin, continuously pumping venom. Other bee species, including the majority, can sting multiple times without facing mortal consequences due to the lack of barbs on their stingers. Interestingly, hundreds of bee species have evolved to lose their stinging ability entirely, known as “stingless bees.” Male bees, regardless of species, do not possess stingers. Despite their potential for aggression, European honey bees are crucial for crop pollination and honey production. It’s important to note that they are not representative of the vast majority of bee species, which are typically solitary and non-aggressive.