That Stinging Feeling: Climate Crisis Fuels Surge In Bee Attacks Across Uttar Pradesh

In the past three months alone, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed an alarming uptick in aggressive bee attacks, claiming five lives and injuring dozens. Far from being random, scientists now say these incidents are an ecological red flag — a direct consequence of climate change, habitat degradation, and rising environmental stress.

One incident involved a 70-year-old farmer in Pilibhit who died after being attacked by bees in his field. Another incident in Ballia resulted in one fatality and two injuries when a swarm attacked pedestrians. In Sitapur, a morning walker was attacked in April this year, resulting in his death. There have also been reports of bee attacks in Etawah, where one person died and 15 others were injured, and in Unnao, where a man died and others were injured during a Mundan ceremony.

Seventy-year-old Ravishankar Agarwal, a morning walker in Kanpur’s Cantonment area, became one of the first victims in April when a swarm descended without provocation. “He collapsed within minutes,” said a witness. “There were too many stings to count.” Since then, six more mass attacks have occurred in May, including incidents involving IAS officers, forest trainees, and construction workers.

Researchers who monitor bee behavior closely argue the aggression is not spontaneous—it is ecological distress made visible. “Bees are starving,” said Dr. Ankit Upadhyaya, an entomologist at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology in Kanpur. “The flowering cycle has been derailed by intense heatwaves and erratic rainfall. With nectar in short supply, colonies are becoming hypersensitive and defensive.”

Bees, particularly domesticated species like Apis mellifera and Apis cerana, are usually non-aggressive. But lately, even these bees have shown volatile responses during feeding sessions. “When we offer sugar concentrate during training, they swarm aggressively before calming down. That did not happen before,” Dr. Upadhyaya noted.

Hunger and Heat Drive Aggression

The link between climate stress and bee hostility is increasingly evident. Dr. Akhilesh Singh, associate professor at Rani Laxmi Bai Central Agricultural University, explains that species like Apis dorsata — known for its powerful defense instincts — have become especially dangerous. “They communicate attacks chemically. One sting releases an alarm pheromone, summoning the entire colony,” Singh said. “So, a single sting can trigger a deadly chain reaction.”

Bees are also foraging farther than usual. “Under normal conditions, bees fly within a three-kilometre radius of their hive. But now, desperate for food, they are venturing into unfamiliar territories—and encountering more humans,” Singh said.

In many of the recent attacks, bees were not defending a hive but were likely in transit, disoriented and searching for nectar. “Even construction tremors or engine vibrations can now be perceived as threats,” said Singh, pointing to a Chandauli attack where engineers were stung while using drilling equipment.

A Heatwave No One Escapes

Dr. S.N. Sunil Pandey, a senior weather scientist at CSA University, confirmed that this summer has been brutal. “Temperatures were six to eight degrees above average from March to May. Even nights offered no relief,” he said. This relentless heat affects not only human comfort but also the micro-ecosystems bees depend on.

In Kannauj, famed for its flower-based perfumes, District Horticulture Officer C.P. Awasthi observed a visible decline in bloom yield. “Less nectar means less pollination, which means more bee stress—and more aggression,” he said.

Even the bees' natural cooling mechanism is failing. “They beat their wings over a thousand times a minute to regulate hive temperature,” said a researcher from the Indian Institute of Pulses Research. “But extreme heat is overwhelming even this innate system.”

The Uttar Pradesh government has proposed recognising bee attacks as a natural disaster, placing them alongside leopard encounters and building collapses in its compensation framework. Under this, victims’ families could receive up to Rs 4 lakh for loss of life.

But experts caution that reactive measures are not enough. India, with its unique climatic challenges, needs long-term research tailored to its native bee species. “Most global studies are based in temperate zones. Our bees live in much harsher, volatile conditions. Their stress responses might be not just stronger, but fundamentally different,” said Dr. Singh.

Staying Safe in a Shifting Ecosystem

As bees become more unpredictable, scientists are urging the public to take precautions, especially in rural and semi-urban zones. “Avoid strong perfumes and black clothing—both attract bees,” advised Dr. Upadhyaya. “If attacked, lie flat, stay still, and avoid waving arms. Struggling only intensifies their response.”

Using leaves to brush off stingers and seeking refuge in water, if nearby, can also help mitigate venom spread and prevent further attacks. “Bees aren’t inherently aggressive,” Singh reminded. “But like any species pushed to the brink, they will defend their survival.”

What began as isolated incidents is now an unfolding environmental story. Bee attacks, once rare, are becoming a symbol of something much larger: an ecological system pushed to breaking point.

“We are seeing warning signs,” Dr. Upadhyaya said. “Rising heat, shrinking floral diversity, urban sprawl—all of these are stressing pollinators. The bees are telling us something. We would do well to listen.”