What Eats Bees? Meet the Surprising Predators of the Hive

With a sting that packs a punch, would any creature dare to eat a bee? You would be surprised to know that, from birds to bugs, there are a lot of animals that rely on bees as a protein-filled snack. Have you ever wondered which animals are brave enough to take on a bee and its stinger? There are more than you might think.

Why Bees Make A Good Meal

Before we describe the predators of bees, it helps to know what makes bees worth the trouble. Bees are small but nutrient-dense. They are especially high in protein and fat, which is great for animals that need quick energy. Also, since they are so abundant and fly into open areas, they are easy targets.

So now that we know why bees are treated like flying protein bars, that brings us to the real buzz: which animals eat bees.

Birds That Eat Bees

Interestingly, some birds can snatch bees right out of the air. Here are a few of the birds that eat bees.

1. Bee-eaters

These colorful birds reside in Africa, Asia, and Europe. They specialize in eating bees and wasps. What’s interesting about these birds is that they catch bees mid-flight and quickly rub them against branches to remove their stingers before swallowing.

2. Flycatchers and swallows

These birds may occasionally eat bees and other flying insects as a food source.

3. Tanagers

Tanagers feed by sitting on posts and waiting for flying insects. They may also eat bees if they are nesting nearby.

Insects That Prey On Bees

Some insects are bee predators, others could even be considered bee assassins. Below are a few of the insects that prey on bees.

1. Wasps (yellow-jackets and hornets)

These insects are known for raiding beehives, snatching bees in midair, and even eating larvae. Wasps bite off the head or wings and bring the thorax back to feed their young.

2. Robber Flies

Robber flies ambush bees while they are in flight and inject them with enzymes to suck out their insides.

3. Assassin Bugs

Assassin bugs use their mouthparts to pierce the bee and drain it of its fluids.

4. Dragonflies

Dragonflies use their quick flight to snatch bees out of the sky and consume them.

Mammals That Eat Bees (And Their Hives)

Moreover, some mammals not only consume the bees but also their hives. Listed below are a few mammals that go after bees.

1. Bears

Winnie the Pooh is a good example of how bears love honeybees and their hives. Bears are interested in the sweetness of the honey and the high-protein snacks inside the hive.

2. Raccoons, skunks, and opossums:

These mammals often raid hives at night, scratching at entrances to lure out guard bees. Interestingly, skunks will roll bees around in the dirt to remove the stinger before eating.

So, with all these predators, how do bees defend themselves?

How Bees Defend Themselves

These creatures are not just armed with stingers. There are a few things they can do to defend themselves against predators.

• Their most common and primary line of defense is their stinger. Unfortunately, only female worker bees can sting, and many die afterward.
• In some species of bees, groups of them will surround a predator and overheat it to death. Curious about what this would look like? Check out this video to see it happen.
• Alarm pheromones can be released during attacks to call in reinforcements.

Even with all of these defense tactics, bees can still fall victim to hungry birds or ambitious bears.

The Bigger Picture

Everything comes back to balance. Predators keep bee populations in check, especially the invasive ones. However, in areas where bees are already declining due to factors like disease, pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change, any additional pressures, including predation, can further stress their populations, though predation is not considered a primary cause of bee declines. Understanding who and what eat bees helps researchers monitor biodiversity, pollinator health, and shifts in the food web.

To summarize, bees may be vital for their role in pollination, but they are also key players in the food chain, like many other insects. Animals like birds, insects, and mammals use them as a source of energy. Interestingly, many of these predators have developed unique strategies to safely eat bees despite their stingers. This predator-prey relationship reminds us that even the smallest animals are a part of something bigger.