Which body part of a honey bee is responsible for stinging?

The abdomen of a honey bee is responsible for stinging. This is because the stinger, or ovipositor, is located at the posterior end of the abdomen. Honey bees have a barbed stinger that they use as a defense mechanism. When a bee stings, the stinger penetrates the skin of the threat, and the venom injected can cause pain and irritation. After stinging, the barbed stinger can become lodged in the skin of the predator, causing the bee to leave its stinger along with venom sacs behind, leading to the bee's eventual death.

In contrast, the thorax is primarily responsible for locomotion, as it holds the wings and legs, while the head contains sensory organs and mouthparts. The wings are used for flying but do not play a role in defense or stinging. Therefore, only the abdomen contains the necessary anatomy for stinging, making it the correct answer.