bumble bees bite?

[tali122]

now i know wasps are aggressive and bumble bees are described as gentle -is this true? will a bumble bee bite and is it worse than a wasps bite?

[andyjevs]

To be pedantic, wasps and bees sting, they don't bite.
Both can be dangerous if you are allergic to their venom. Anaphatactic shock, caused by a severe allergic reaction can kill in minutes if not treated.

However, there is probably more risk with being stung by a bee as the sting is left in you and can therefore go septic.

Most bees will only sting under extreme provocation whereas wasps will sting for the fun of it....and then ask their mates to have a go too !!!

Hope this is of some use

[Morrisonker]

seeing as bees die after they sting I'd imagine they're pretty reluctant to sting, they probably only do it if the situation is hopeless and as a final 'up yours!' to the thing annoying them.

But yes, bees are quite gentle things, I used to spend hours as a kid stroking them, as long as you're gentle it's kinda fun :)

[gen2]

tali122, if you really do mean biting, then most types of bee cannot bite as their mouthparts are designed for sucking up nectar. On the other hand, wasps have fairly strong mouthparts that they use for chewing up wood for their 'paper' nests. They also chew up their prey, but I have never heardd of them trying to chew a human. As andyjevs says, they much prefer to sting us at the slightest provocation. The answer is - don't provoke them, don't flap and wave at them, and finally keep those cycle clips round your trouser legs.

[felinechums]

Andyjevs, it is "anaphylactic" shock.

[andyjevs]

Whatever....scuse typos

Now how do you spell pedant

[tali122]

yes i meant to say stinging not biting