Are bees aware about the consequences of using their stinger on a large target? Consequently, are they aware that stinging smaller animals won’t cause them to die?

Question

Do they instinctively “know” they will die by stinging a human?

In: Biology

Answer 1

I would say that they do not expect to die, no. Their stingers normally do not get stuck, but humans and other mammals have thick and rubbery skin that makes it too difficult for them to free themselves. Others are pointing out that pheromones and simple brains make them react without any sense of self-preservation, but they would see the death of any drone (including themselves) as a loss for the colony.