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Which animals prey on bees and other Hymenoptera despite their stings?

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Bumblebee pollination — Hymenoptera An endangered rusty patched bumblebee (*Bombus affinis*) browsing on a wild bergamot flower.

Despite their defensive stings, many Hymenoptera—including bees, wasps, and ants—are regularly preyed upon by a variety of animals.

Several mammals, including skunks, badgers, field mice, and shrews, are known to attack bee nests to consume both the insects and their honey. Additionally, bee-eaters—a family of birds—specialize in feeding on bees, wasps, and other insects.12

While Hymenoptera utilize stings as a primary means of self-defense, these predators have evolved to overcome or bypass such threats to exploit these insects as a food source.13