They do sting, and can sting more than once.

They are very docile and are not inclined to sting. They make honey but only a very small amount. They do live in colonies, but they are very small.

In the spring a Queen emerges from the ground where she winters over and looks for suitable nest. She collects her own pollen and nectar to feed the brood that hatches from her eggs. Once the brood emerges, they take over the collection of the nectar and pollen and take care of the queen who then remains in the nest.