If you smell bananas and are nowhere near one

United States

October 12, 2019 2:34pm CST

The honey bee releases Isoamyl Acetate after stinging someone. This serves as a pheromone to other bees, enticing them to come and sting as well. Isoamyl Acetate is produced naturally in Bananas, and synthetically for the banana flavored candies we love today. (There's actually more on that you can learn - including the history of bananas in the US - Look it up!) Wikipedia - Isoamyl Acetate

8 people like this

7 responses

ShannyBananny

@shaggin (72110)

• United States

12 Oct 19

I didn't know that. Honeybees I was taught won't sting unless the feel they have to so I find it odd they would try to get others to sting and die too.

2 people like this

AmberLynn

@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)

• United States

12 Oct 19

Yes, I was honestly wondering how true this was. I think they'd have to be very aggravated for this to happen.

2 people like this

Writer Ruth

@WriterRuth (268)

• Waialua, Hawaii

12 Oct 19

Yes, I was wondering the same exactly

2 people like this

Alex Socorro

@Alexandoy (65308)

• Cainta, Philippines

12 Oct 19

There are honeybees here usually feasting on the banana flowers.

2 people like this

AmberLynn

@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)

• United States

12 Oct 19

Really? From what I read they naturally make this scent themselves, but maybe it's from them feasting on all the flowers of the banana.

2 people like this

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111938)

• United States

12 Oct 19

we had a little nest in our maple trees and they were not bothersome to us

1 person likes this

AmberLynn

@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)

• United States

13 Oct 19

I do not think that honey bees are usually prone to attacks. I'm guessing this is for those times when they do sting.

1 person likes this

Diana

@dya80dya (36578)

•

12 Oct 19

I wasn't aware of this.

1 person likes this

AmberLynn

@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)

• United States

13 Oct 19

Neither was I, until just today.

1 person likes this

Writer Ruth

@WriterRuth (268)

• Waialua, Hawaii

12 Oct 19

Wow, I had no idea bees did that. The nerve of them!

1 person likes this

Writer Ruth

@WriterRuth (268)

• Waialua, Hawaii

12 Oct 19

Maybe they are wanting to protect the hive and at the risk of their life. Do you think a bee knows it is going to die once it stings someone??

1 person likes this

AmberLynn

@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)

• United States

12 Oct 19

I am not sure if they know they will die or not, but I think they must have some inherent understanding. Bees are of swarming mentality, which probably explains why there would be a chemical released to warn - or attract - others.

2 people like this

AmberLynn

@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)

• United States

13 Oct 19

@WriterRuth Yes, we should let them do their thing and not bother them. They are already endangered from what I am aware.

2 people like this

Writer Ruth

@WriterRuth (268)

• Waialua, Hawaii

12 Oct 19

@ScribbledAdNauseum Yup, makes sense. I certainly appreciate their contribution to society and respect them in many ways