Why can yellowjacket workers repeatedly sting targets without losing their stinger?
Answer
They lack the barbed stinger found on honey bees
A key defense mechanism distinguishing yellowjacket workers from honey bees is their ability to sting multiple times. This capability stems directly from the morphological structure of their stinger; unlike the barbed stinger characteristic of honey bees, the yellowjacket stinger is smooth. This evolutionary trait is highly advantageous for the defense of a high-investment resource, specifically the large, complex annual colony structure. Because the workers are sterile females and their survival beyond the season is not required, expending energy on aggressive defense via repeated stinging is a successful evolutionary strategy that prioritizes colony protection over individual longevity.
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