Sting of a honeybee embedded in a human finger

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Sting of a honeybee embedded in a human finger

Bee sting. View of a honeybee sting embedded in the skin of a human finger. At centre, the sting is seen, carrying with it nerve and muscle tissue that work to pump poison (peptides) into the finger. In the act of stinging, the bee ruptures its seventh abdominal segment and mortally injures itself. The tip of the sting is armed with backward sloping barbs which make it difficult to remove once embedded. Cells around the sting also exude a pheromone odour that attracts other bees to attack the same site. Only female workers of the honeybee Apis mellifera are able to sting. This barbed device was originally an egg-laying organ that evolved into a weapon of defence

Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations

Media ID 6461928

© DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Apis Mellifera Bee Sting Bees Finger Insecta Ovipositor Sting

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the intricate and deadly beauty of a honeybee sting embedded in a human finger. At the center of the image, we witness the menacing sting carrying with it nerve and muscle tissue that functions to inject venomous peptides into its victim's flesh. The act of stinging is not without sacrifice, as the bee tragically ruptures its own seventh abdominal segment, resulting in mortal injury. The tip of this formidable weapon is armed with backward sloping barbs, rendering removal from the skin an arduous task. Surrounding cells release a pheromone odor that acts as a distress signal, attracting other bees to join in on attacking the same site. It is important to note that only female workers of Apis mellifera possess this ability to sting. Originally an egg-laying organ, evolution has transformed it into a potent defensive mechanism for these remarkable creatures. This extraordinary photograph captures nature's ingenuity and highlights both the delicate intricacies and lethal power found within our natural world. It serves as a reminder of how even seemingly small organisms can possess astonishing adaptations for survival and protection against threats they encounter in their environment.

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