Bee venom

Bee venom is produced in the venom gland of female bees (workers and queens) from the time they are fourteen days old and stored in their venom sac (0.3 mg per bee). The stinger consists of two stylets which run through a shaft with a central canal between them through which the venom flows. The stylets can be moved against one another like two saw blades.

When a bee stings a mammal, the venom sac darts out of the bee and a muscle pumps the venom into the “enemy”. In addition, alarm scents mark the “target” and urge other bees to attack the foe. Bee venom is used for medicinal purposes, for instance, against rheumatism. It is obtained by using mechanical or electrical means to irritate the bees, thus stimulating them to discharge their venom.