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The insect photo clearly demonstrates the differences between a bee and a wasp; city residents need to carefully study them before going out into nature. Both insects sting painfully, and their bites can cause allergic reactions. It is worth knowing their habits and places where they can be found most often in order to protect yourself and your children from attack. In addition, both species differ in varying degrees of aggressiveness.
What is the difference between a wasp and a bee?
It is not so easy for a person living in a big city to immediately find the difference between two completely different flying insects. They are similar in appearance and make a buzzing noise. Moreover, there are almost no differences in the sizes of common species found in the European part of the country. At a quick glance, their coloring may also seem the same.
The table shows the clear differences between a bee and a wasp:
What is the difference | Bee | Wasp |
Color | Muted: alternating honey yellow and black stripes on belly | Vivid: intense yellow stripes on the body alternate with deep black |
Body contours | Round-oval shape of the abdomen, blurry contours close up due to the villi on the body | The body is smooth, elongated, divided into 2 unequal parts by a narrow bridge between the chest and pointed abdomen, clear contours |
Where do they meet? | On decorative flowers, on flowers of trees, garden crops, near water containers and water taps located on the street in rural areas | On ripe sweet fruits of fruit trees, rotten vegetables; on any products exposed outside, including raw meat, fish, food waste, even rotten ones |
Behavior | They sting only if there is a threat to their own life, when approaching the hive | Aggressive, can sting without obvious threat to life |
Character of the bite | It stings once, the sting remains in the wound | Can sting several times, the wasp pulls out the sting |
Bee and wasp: differences
There are many differences between these insects, starting with their appearance, their lifestyle and behavior.
How to externally distinguish a wasp from a bee
The most striking sign of the difference between the two insects is the richness of their striped color. The expressive contrast of two intense colors that alternate on the body of a wasp, black and yellow, makes a person immediately wary on a subconscious level.
The color of the bee is softer, yellow-brown, there is no sharp transition between the calm yellow and black shades of the stripes on the abdomen. As you can see in the photo, a bee differs from a wasp in its rather shaggy cover. This impression is partly achieved due to the thick hairs on the entire body and on the bee’s legs. The main natural task of a beneficial insect is to collect more flower pollen with the help of its “shaggyness” and transfer it to another flower for pollination.
The differences in appearance between a bee and a wasp can be easily seen by the shape of their bodies. Due to the large number of villi, the body of the honey worker does not have clearly defined contours. The smooth cover of the wasp clearly outlines its predatory, aggressive natural color with a pointed abdomen.
There are also differences in the structure of the wings and the color of the legs, but only specialists consider them. When taking macro photography in a photo of a wasp and a bee, you can see the difference in that the second has special formations on its legs where pollen accumulates, the so-called baskets. The honey insect takes the result of its labor to the hive for the common good.
What is the difference between a wasp and a bee: comparison of lifestyle
These representatives of the order Hymenoptera, the suborder of the stalked bellies, as entomologists define them, have many species. The most famous bees:
- honey-bearing public;
- single.
Among wasps there are the same varieties. The general characteristics above apply to most species of both representatives of the order Hymenoptera. The difference between social species and solitary individuals is that the former have a uterus for raising offspring. She is cared for by her family, where each member has their own tasks and responsibilities. And other species, solitary, reproduce independently. But all bees, regardless of their social organization, work to pollinate various plants. Bees control up to 80% of all types of flora on the planet. This is their purpose.
Bees build honeycomb nests in trees, in rock crevices, and settle in abandoned rodent burrows on the ground.All cameras are covered with wax from the inside. This substance is a clear difference, with the help of which you can immediately understand which insect’s nest has been found. Man has learned to select honey, wax, and pollen for his needs.
In wasp colonies, the queen takes care of herself. Aggressive insects often settle near human habitats: in gardens, small holes under roofs. The nests are also honeycomb-shaped, but are built from chewed particles of grass and wood. The buildings are usually gray in color.
Wasp and bee: differences in nutrition
Insects have completely different foods. Bees feed their larvae and feed themselves on pollen and nectar. The difference between a bee and a wasp is that the latter, being a predator, feeds its larvae with protein foods - caterpillars and other insects, which benefits the gardens. Its diet also includes flower nectar, fruit and vegetable juice, any food waste, including spoiled protein, and carrion.
Do wasps give honey?
Some species of wasps on the American continent are able to collect honey. But wax is not produced.
Wasps and bees: the difference in stings
Stinging insect bites are equally painful and can cause serious problems for people with allergies. Particularly severe consequences occur in the form of anaphylactic shock. It has been noticed that insects more often sting people who use perfumes and cosmetics. Both species perceive these chemical odors as an immediate threat to themselves. They often attack people who are sweaty after exercise or have damp skin after swimming.Experts also say that people with allergies are more likely to be attacked, compared to people who do not suffer from this disease.
The differences between a bee sting and a wasp sting are barely noticeable in the photo:
- swelling occurs, the size of which depends on the specific reaction of the body of a particular person;
- the area where the poison spreads turns red.
The difference in the chemical composition of the substance injected by insects:
- The wasp has an alkaline poison, so to neutralize it, just rub the wound with vinegar;
- bee venom is characterized by an acidic reaction; after a sting, people can save themselves by rubbing the sore spot with ordinary soap or alcohol.
Differences between the sting of a wasp and a bee
The defense mechanism of both insects is similar, but there are some discrepancies. Carefully studying in the pictures how a wasp differs from a bee, you can notice the smooth sting of the former, with small notches at the end. An annoying insect will sting once, but can do it again, unlike other species. The bee stinger is highly serrated, with large teeth directed upwards.
Why does a bee die after stinging?
If a bee, defending itself or its hive, drives its sting into the elastic tissue of its body, it will be difficult for it to pull out its attack weapon due to its teeth. Trying to free itself, the insect breaks away from the sting, but leaves some of its internal organs with it. This moment, shown in the photo, is the main difference between a wasp and a bee.
How long does a bee live after being stung?
The lifespan of a bee after a sting depends on the damage it received. It happens that an insect will live only a few minutes. Sometimes 1.5-3 days.If bees attack insects that have a hard chitinous cover that is not elastic, the bee removes the sting and remains alive. Although a more detailed study of the life of both species and their differences casts doubt on the necessarily happy outcome of such an attack.
How to distinguish a bee from a wasp
Summing up the differences between wasps and bees, it is important to point out that after the first acquaintance, any city resident will recognize both. It is necessary to thoroughly study and familiarize children with how to distinguish a wasp from a bee using a photo. The first thing that will catch your eye is the bright color of the buzzing insect. Alternating black and lemon stripes, clearly visible body contours with a predatory pointed end immediately signal that a wasp is flying around. The musical ear will also distinguish differences in buzzing, although the sounds are very similar. A wasp may hover aggressively around a person if it is attracted by the smell of food.
Representatives of the bee family are more peaceful and will react violently to the irritating smell from people only near the hives. A bee that works on a flower will never be distracted from its work unless specifically disturbed. The behavior of the wasp is more unpredictable, and it sometimes breaks away from getting food, threatening a person. Knowing well what a bee and a wasp look like, you can live peacefully with them without dire consequences in the form of bites.
The main difference is the color of the bee, a mixture of muted yellow and black tones, not so provocative. Bumblebees and hornets are much larger in size.
Conclusion
The differences between a bee and a wasp, photos taken during macro photography will help determine the type of insect. Bees are more common on flowers; wasps love ripe and sweet fruits and flock to the smell of fresh fish and meat.Under no circumstances should you explore the nest of Hymenoptera, which will fiercely defend it. When traveling outdoors, it is better to give up perfume and give preference to dull clothes.
