Why do bees die after they sting you?

A common misconception is that all bees die after they sting you. In reality, only honeybees die from stinging. A honeybee has a barbed stinger that is attached to its abdomen as well as some muscle tissue and nerves. If a honeybee were to sting a thin-skinned animal, then the bee would be able to pull its stinger out of the animal with little effort. Conversely, if a honeybee were to sting a thick-skinned animal (like a human), then the bee would not be able to pull its stinger out. With enough effort, however, the honeybee could break free from its stinger, leaving it in the animal's skin. Unfortunately, breaking free comes at a price. Part of the bee's abdomen (along with muscles and nerves) is torn from its body, often causing death.