Slow down a honey bee stinging and you see impressive mechanisms at work

Muzammil Hussain October 13, 2026

An orange venom sac bulges above a tiny stinger, held by forceps, as it's pushed into a soft, clear, squishy surface.

New research is showing what makes honeybee stings an effective, self-driving weapon. High speed cameras reveal how the stinger uses a double-piston that pumps up and down to drive it deeper while delivering its poison.

New research is showing what makes honeybee stings an effective, self-driving weapon. High speed cameras reveal how the stinger uses a double-piston that pumps up and down to drive it deeper while delivering its poison. An orange venom sac bulges above a tiny stinger, held by forceps, as it's pushed into a soft, clear, squishy surface.

New research is showing what makes honeybee stings an effective, self-driving weapon. High speed cameras reveal how the stinger uses a double-piston that pumps up and down to drive it deeper while delivering its poison.

News/Science