{"id":3640,"date":"2023-09-05T08:40:35","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T00:40:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/?p=3640"},"modified":"2023-09-19T20:10:27","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T12:10:27","slug":"do-bees-have-venom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Bees Have Venom?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Yes, bees have venom. Bees use venom to defend themselves and their colonies. This venom paralyzes other insects and may cause allergic reactions in humans.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll learn more about bee venom as we discuss the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>What is bee venom?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do all bees have venom?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where do bees store venom?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How bees use venom<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How bees inject venom<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is bee venom dangerous?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uses and benefits of bee venom<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/do-bees-have-venom-1024x536.png\" alt=\"do bees have venom\" class=\"wp-image-3644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/do-bees-have-venom-1024x536.png 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/do-bees-have-venom-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/do-bees-have-venom-768x402.png 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/do-bees-have-venom.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#What_Is_Bee_Venom\" title=\"What Is Bee Venom?\">What Is Bee Venom?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#Components_of_Bee_Venom\" title=\"Components of Bee Venom\">Components of Bee Venom<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#Do_All_Bees_Have_Venom\" title=\"Do All Bees Have Venom?\">Do All Bees Have Venom?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#Where_Do_Bees_Store_Venom\" title=\"Where Do Bees Store Venom?\">Where Do Bees Store Venom?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#How_Do_Bees_Use_Venom\" title=\"How Do Bees Use Venom?\">How Do Bees Use Venom?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#How_Do_Bees_Inject_Venom\" title=\"How Do Bees Inject Venom?\">How Do Bees Inject Venom?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#Do_Bees_Inject_Venom_When_They_Bite\" title=\"Do Bees Inject Venom When They Bite?\">Do Bees Inject Venom When They Bite?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#Is_Bee_Venom_Dangerous\" title=\"Is Bee Venom Dangerous?\">Is Bee Venom Dangerous?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#What_Is_the_Lethal_Dose_of_Bee_Venom_for_Humans\" title=\"What Is the Lethal Dose of Bee Venom for Humans?\">What Is the Lethal Dose of Bee Venom for Humans?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#Uses_of_Bee_Venom\" title=\"Uses of Bee Venom\">Uses of Bee Venom<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-bees-have-venom\/#Summary_Do_Bees_Have_Venom\" title=\"Summary: Do Bees Have Venom?\">Summary: Do Bees Have Venom?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Bee_Venom\"><\/span>What Is Bee Venom?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bee venom is a <strong>clear liquid substance produced by bees<\/strong>. It\u2019s primarily used by bees as a defense mechanism against predators. However, it also has potential therapeutic properties. It&#8217;s used in alternative medicine practices such as apitherapy.\u00a0 It&#8217;s also believed to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Components_of_Bee_Venom\"><\/span>Components of Bee Venom<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bee venom is a complex mixture of various components, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Melittin:<\/strong> This is the primary component of bee venom and is responsible for its toxic effects. Melittin is a peptide that can cause pain, inflammation, and cell destruction.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong>Phospholipase A2:<\/strong> This enzyme affects inflammatory response and causes allergic reactions. It is also responsible for the pain and swelling associated with bee stings.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong>Hyaluronidase:<\/strong> This enzyme helps break down hyaluronic acid, a component of connective tissue. It allows the venom to spread more easily through the body.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong>Apamin:<\/strong> This peptide affects the central nervous system. It can cause muscle tremors and convulsions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><strong>Mast cell degranulating peptide:<\/strong> This peptide causes the release of histamine from mast cells. It leads to allergic reactions and inflammation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><strong>Adolapin:<\/strong> This peptide has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with bee stings.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li><strong>Histamine:<\/strong> Bee venom contains histamine, which contributes to the allergic reaction and inflammation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"8\">\n<li><strong>Dopamine:<\/strong> Bee venom contains small amounts of dopamine. This is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation and pain perception.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The components of bee venom vary between species.<\/strong> Honeybee venom, for example, mainly consists of melittin. This melittin is a cationic amphipathic peptide composed of 26 amino acids. It makes up around 50% of honeybee venom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, bumblebee venom does not have melittin at all. Instead, it has secretory phospholipase A2 which induces apoptosis or cell death. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41698-020-00129-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_All_Bees_Have_Venom\"><\/span>Do All Bees Have Venom?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No, not all bees have venom. <strong>Only female bees (workers and queens)\u00a0have venom glands and stingers.<\/strong> Male bees, known as drones, do not have stingers and, therefore, do not have venom.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_Do_Bees_Store_Venom\"><\/span>Where Do Bees Store Venom?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bees store venom in a special gland called the <strong>venom sac<\/strong>. This sac is located at the end of the abdomen. It\u2019s connected to the stinger, allowing the bee to inject venom into its target when it stings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_Bees_Use_Venom\"><\/span>How Do Bees Use Venom?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bees use venom as a defense mechanism.\u00a0 When bees feel threatened they sting to protect themselves or their hive. Their stings inject venom and cause pain and inflammation. It&#8217;s used as a <strong>deterrent to predators and other potential threats<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_Bees_Inject_Venom\"><\/span>How Do Bees Inject Venom?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Stechende_Biene_12a-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Stechende_Biene_12a-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Stechende_Biene_12a-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Stechende_Biene_12a-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Stechende_Biene_12a.jpg 1455w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Stechende_Biene_12a.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Waugsberg<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Bees have a specialized stinger connected to a venom sac. When a bee stings, it thrusts its stinger into the target and <strong>injects venom through the stinger<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the stinger is embedded, venom continues to be pumped into the victim&#8217;s skin for a short period. This is why it is important to remove the stinger as quickly as possible to minimize the amount of venom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Bees_Inject_Venom_When_They_Bite\"><\/span>Do Bees Inject Venom When They Bite?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some bees can. Research shows that <strong>honeybees secrete 2-heptanone (2-H) when they bite<\/strong>. This 2-H acts as an anesthetic in arthropods. It can paralyze parasites like wax moth larvae and Varroa mites. [<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23091624\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Bee_Venom_Dangerous\"><\/span>Is Bee Venom Dangerous?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bee venom is <strong>generally not harmful.<\/strong> Oftentimes it simply results in minor pain and swelling. However, it can be <strong>dangerous for individuals allergic to it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Severe allergic reactions can be potentially life-threatening and require emergency treatment. <strong>Bee stings and venom can lead to anaphylaxis<\/strong>, which is fatal when untreated. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/bee-stings\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20353869\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Symptoms of anaphylaxis include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Difficulty breathing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swelling of the throat and tongue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dizziness or fainting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loss of consciousness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are unsure about your reaction to bee venom, consult a healthcare professional.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_Lethal_Dose_of_Bee_Venom_for_Humans\"><\/span>What Is the Lethal Dose of Bee Venom for Humans?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The median lethal dose (LD50) of bee venom varies <strong>between 2.8 and 3.5 mg of venom per kg of human body weight<\/strong>. Thus, a non-allergic person of average weight may die upon being stung by 1,000 to 1,500 bees. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fimmu.2019.02090\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, some people have died from just 200 to 500 stings. Also, it&#8217;s important to note that a single sting can be fatal to individuals allergic to bee venom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Uses_of_Bee_Venom\"><\/span>Uses of Bee Venom<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Problem with Bee Venom Therapy\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PBgHGKrvfg0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite its dangers, bee venom is also used for various purposes, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Medicinal purposes: <\/strong>Bee venom contains a variety of compounds that have medicinal properties. For instance, it&#8217;s believed to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. It&#8217;s used in traditional medicine to treat conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Anticancer properties:<\/strong> Bee venom contains melittin and apamin. These substances have shown potential anticancer effects in laboratory studies. They can inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells and induce apoptosis (cell death) in various types of cancer. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9965945\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5<\/a>]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Alternative therapy for pain management:<\/strong> Bee venom therapy (BVT) is the medicinal application of BV into the human body. It is used to manage chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, back pain, and joint pain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Allergy desensitization<\/strong>: Bee venom helps desensitize individuals who are allergic to bee stings. Small amounts of venom are gradually introduced into the body to build tolerance and reduce the severity of reactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cosmetic and skin care products<\/strong>: Bee venom is used in some cosmetic and skincare products. This is due to its potential anti-aging and collagen-boosting effects. It is believed to stimulate blood circulation, improve skin texture, and reduce wrinkles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Research and development:<\/strong> Bee venom is also used in scientific research. Researchers study its effects on human health and explore potential therapeutic applications. It has been investigated for its antimicrobial, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary_Do_Bees_Have_Venom\"><\/span>Summary: Do Bees Have Venom?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To summarize, yes bees do have venom. Bees produce venom as a defense mechanism. This venom causes pain, inflammation, and sometimes paralysis. They inject it through their stings to deter predators and other threats.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yes, bees have venom. Bees use venom to defend themselves and their colonies. This venom paralyzes other insects and may cause allergic reactions in humans. In this article, we\u2019ll learn more about bee venom as we discuss the following: What Is Bee Venom? Bee venom is a clear liquid substance produced by bees. It\u2019s primarily&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3644,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3640"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3640"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3673,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3640\/revisions\/3673"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}