Characteristics of common wasps and bees

Apis mellifera Female on white background

Bombus fraternus, f, ga, baker, side (16429111109) -white background

Polistes dominula MHNT

European wasp white bg

Bald-faced Hornet (Vespidae, Dolichovespula maculata (Linnaeus)) (32512319833) white background

AD2009Aug08 Vespa crabro 01

Characteristics of Common Wasps and Bees

Wasps and bees are both members of the order Hymenoptera, which also includes ants and sawflies. Despite their similarities, they exhibit distinct characteristics that differentiate them from each other.

Physical Characteristics

Wasps

Wasps generally have slender bodies with a narrow waist, smooth and shiny skin, and long legs. Their bodies are often brightly colored with yellow and black patterns, which serve as a warning to predators. Wasps have two pairs of wings and chewing mouthparts. They possess a stinger that can be used multiple times.

Bees

Bees, on the other hand, have more robust and hairy bodies, which help them collect pollen. They are usually less brightly colored than wasps, often appearing in shades of brown, black, or yellow. Bees also have two pairs of wings and possess a stinger, but unlike wasps, a bee's stinger is barbed and typically remains in the skin of its target, leading to the bee's death after stinging.

European wasp white bg

Bald-faced Hornet (Vespidae, Dolichovespula maculata (Linnaeus)) (32512319833) white background

AD2009Aug08 Vespa crabro 01

Behavior

Wasps

Wasps are generally more aggressive than bees and are known for their predatory behavior. They feed on other insects and are often seen hunting or scavenging. Some species of wasps are solitary, while others, like the yellowjacket and hornet, live in colonies.

Bees

Bees are primarily pollinators and play a crucial role in the ecosystem by aiding in the reproduction of flowering plants. They feed on nectar and pollen. Most bees are social insects, living in colonies with a complex social structure, such as the honey bee and bumblebee. However, there are also solitary bees, like the carpenter bee.

Nesting

Wasps

Wasps build their nests from paper-like material, which they create by chewing wood fibers mixed with their saliva. These nests can be found in various locations, including trees, eaves of buildings, and underground.

Bees

Bees construct their nests from wax, which they produce from glands on their abdomen. Honey bees build large hives, often in hollow trees or man-made structures, while bumblebees prefer to nest in the ground or in cavities.

Stings

Both wasps and bees can sting, but their stinging behavior and the effects of their stings differ.

Wasps

Wasps can sting multiple times because their stinger is smooth and does not detach from their body. Their venom can cause pain, swelling, and in some cases, severe allergic reactions.

Bees

Bees can sting only once, as their barbed stinger becomes lodged in the skin, leading to the bee's death. The venom from a bee sting can also cause pain, swelling, and allergic reactions, but the stinger must be removed promptly to reduce the severity of the reaction.

Related Pages

• Hymenoptera
• Yellowjacket
• Hornet
• Honey bee
• Bumblebee
• Carpenter bee