Is there anything that a bee would sting that it's barbed stinger wouldn't get stuck in? It seems like most anything would result in stinger detachment

[–] jjagaimo@sh.itjust.works 15 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

The barb is mostly meant to aid in staying attached while injecting venom and is meant to still be able to release by twisting

Human skin is more elastic than bee's typical adversaries and the singer becomes stuck when they try to release. It you wait a while and let them try to pull it out carefully without hurting themselves, they might end up going in circles until it works its way free

[–] essell@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Other insects, thats the primary use of their stinger

[–] Karyoplasma@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 1 week ago

Other insects mostly. Technically also birds, but birds are too quick and too strong so the fight is usually over before the bee can sting.