Insect Anti-Predator Defense Mechanisms (Caterpillars + Bees)

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        In order for insects to survive in their environment, they have to adapt and survive against many different conditions. They are required to defend against predators and have adapted into different defense mechanisms that best suits their living. Highlighted defenses will be those of caterpillars and bees.
Image result for picture of caterpillars         Caterpillars defend themselves in many different ways; camouflage, hairs, coloration, repellence, pain, and mimicry are a few of the ways they defend against predators. The coloration of caterpillars plays a large part into many different defenses. Some predators see different colors and assume that its taste will be bad, where others see a familiar coloration and are reminded of the last time they had a bad encounter with a caterpillar. Either way, coloration is a large part in serving as a warning, saving the time and effort physically avoiding its predator. This also plays a part into mimicry. Some species can adapt their pigmentation to blend in to their environment. These indirect defenses are the majority on how caterpillars are able to protect themselves.
        The second group of defense mechanisms come from direct contact with their predator. Many caterpillars have spines and hairs that will directly cause pain to their predator upon being attacked. Most others will omit defense chemicals that can: repel, induce cleaning, cause pain, or have adhesion. Typically among caterpillars repelling predators, they will give off a foul smell that makes an attacked think twice before eating it. They can also release a compound that will require insects or animals to start cleaning themselves. Some of these compounds can begin to harden and "glue" to the predator. Lastly, chemicals can inflict pain through injection or emission and can create a burning sensation, allergic reaction, and intense pain. These defense strategies are the main ways caterpillars are able to protect themselves against predators.
       Some defense mechanisms aren’t harmless and can be very painful to receive, like the sting of a bee. Surely everyone has a story from their childhood about getting stung by a bee. I know for me, when it happened once I made sure that it never happened again. It was a painful and scary experience that left 6 year old me traumatized. 
       The sting from a bee in most cases is just painful immediately and wears off as time passes, but in some cases they can be fatal to humans. A bee will sting when they feel threatened or whenever they sense a fellow bee’s pheromones that are released upon stinging and will join in the attack. This can turn into hundreds or thousands of stings which can do major damage to the organism receiving them. Bees rarely sting because they are usually too busy pollinating or gathering resources for hive. Usually, a bee stings when stepped on or unnecessarily aggravated. 
The bee that is commonly known for stinging is the worker honeybee. This specific bee usually dies after stinging because of a barb at the end of the stinger. This piece is made for a reason because even after the bee dies, the stinger can continue releasing venom for up to ten minutes. A bumble bee is able to sting repeatedly because they do not have barbs on their stingers. 
When a predator is stung by a bee, it leaves them in temporary pain and confusion. This benefits the hive because then the predator eventually learns to not go after the bees or their honey. 
Attached is a short video that shows a real honey bee sting. As you can see, the barb allows the stinger to remain in the individual while the bee separates. You can clearly see how long the stinger is compared to the body and can see why they are so painful. It is also good to note how quick and easy a bee is able to sting an organism. https://youtu.be/jZKlv8AFE3c





 “Why Do Bees Sting?” Wonderopolis, www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-bees-sting.
NC State-General Entomology

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