Wasps and bees look alike, fly alike and sting alike. So why are they categorized separately? In this article, we look at wasp vs bee, and their key differences and similarities as well.
Both wasps and bees are stinging insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera.
However, there are several differences between them – starting from their looks to their behavior.
Also, many species of wasps share overlapping characteristics with bees and vice versa.
We have compiled a comprehensive guide for you to recognize the differences between the two based on their nests, behavior, size, sting, and more.
What Are Wasps?
Definition-wise, wasps are referred to as all the insects in the Hymenoptera order, which cannot be classified as either ants or bees.
They are flying insects with a sting that mostly live in large colonies.
Wasps feed on insects and nectar, which makes them invaluable in horticulture.
They help control pests such as whiteflies while also being moderately good pollinators.
What Are Bees?
Ancestry-wise bees have evolved from wasps but now are under the suborder of Apocrita.
Bees are a highly successful insect species found almost everywhere in the world.
They are the most important pollinator in your garden and the major source of honey in the world (note – we did not say “only”, and we will cover that in later sections).
Their sharp decline over the years has resulted in many commercially managed hives around the world to help with pollination.
Differences Between Wasps and Bees
Physical differences
Bees are smaller in stature than wasps. They measure between 0.4 to 0.5 inches depending on the type of bee
Yes, there are many types, including bumble bees, honey bees, and masonry bees.
Bees are hairy, with stocky bodies (there is not much distinction between the 3 body segments) colored brownish to golden. Their appendages are black.
Wasps, on the other hand, are larger – between 0.4 to 0.8 inches in size.
They have slimmer and smoother bodies and only have hair along their head and thorax.
Their bodies have a bright yellow color with black bands. The abdomen and the thorax have marked differences in size.
The wasp waist is often characterized as having an “hourglass” figure.
Social or Solitary?
Bees are eusocial, which means they live in highly structured colonies with defined hierarchies.
The structure of the colony differs based on the species. For example, honeybee colonies are generations long, whereas bumble bees create colonies annually.
Their colonies are also much smaller in size than those of honeybees.
However, over 200 species of bees live solitary lives and nest alone. Despite being solitary, they do live close to other bees. But they do not fall under the category of queen, worker, or drone.
A majority of wasps are solitary; in fact, over 20,000 species of them!
Around 900 wasp species, though, live in structured, eusocial colonies. These colonies consist mostly of female wasps.
Differences in nest making
Bee hives are large structures with individual hexagonal components, housing up to 40,000 bees.
These cells store food and eggs and provide housing for the drones. The hives can be within cavities or completely aerial and exposed.
Each nest has a single, low-hanging, south-facing entrance. The hive is made from chewed wax, and the inner walls are coated with plant resin.
Most social wasps use paper pulp to create their nests.
They chew wood and use the substance to make burrow-like structures in the ground, within plant stems, or in other sheltered areas like unused crevices and attics.
Some, like the paper wasp, chew stems and create a brown paper substance.
Solitary wasps construct mud cells or multiple vase-like cells along a wall or inside the ground.
Predatory wasps burrow in the group or, in some cases, do not create any nests.
Differences in habitats
Bees generally reside in hives, which they make in cavities (on rocks, trees, or even buildings).
They are found on every single continent except Antarctica. Bees generally live in green areas such as parks, woodlands, meadows, orchards, large gardens, and forests.
Solitary wasps can create mud cells along walls or rocks. At the same time, social wasps can live on trees or create burrows within the soil.
Wasps are found around trees in shrubbery, orchards, and forests. However, they are also found in urban settings, cities, and rocky areas with some mud.
As with bees, they are found in all climate zones except Antarctica.
Lifecycle & How Long They Live
The queen bee lays eggs, examines them, and places them side by side in the colony.
Fertilized eggs result in queen bees, and unfertilized eggs produce male worker bees.
Both larvae are fed “royal jelly” for the initial few days, after which only the females have access to it.
After multiple instar stages, the larvae will cover the cell with wax and pupate.
From the pupa, an adult bee will emerge. The pupal stage varies based on the type of bee. After this, each bee falls into their line of work.
Queen bees can live for up to 5 years. Worker bees, on the other hand, only live for around 2 to 6 weeks.
Queen wasps only build a nest after fertilization. After making a small nest, she lays eggs within a chamber.
The eggs hatch into larvae, which are fed by the queen, and, after pupating, emerge as adult worker bees.
The first round of worker bees then takes over nest-building and feeding the remaining larvae.
Queen wasps live for a year, while worker wasps only live for about 22 days.
Aggression
Bees are less aggressive by temperament, with bumble bees being quite docile.
They do possess a stinger, but since it can only be used once, bees only attack when highly threatened.
Wasps are more aggressive and can easily sting anything or anyone that touches them.
Most solitary wasps, however, are not aggressive and don’t sting.
What They Eat
Bees are exclusively herbivorous and feed on pollen and nectar.
This is collected by the older worker bees from various flowers for themselves as well as for the other bees in the hive.
They can also drink sugary drinks and honey. If you find an injured or tired bee, it’s a good idea to give it a few drops of sugared water.
Adult wasps are omnivorous, and their larvae are carnivorous. This makes them more likely to appear around humans who are simply enjoying their food.
Most wasps feed on sugary diets, which include nectar and pollen from flowers as well as the sugary liquid (honeydew) produced by aphids and some wasp larvae.
They might attack fruits, carrion, or any open food item. Some, like the yellow jackets, feed on flies and bees.
Adult wasps have short lifespans – hence, they mainly eat carbohydrates.
Stingers
Bees may or may not have stingers. Stingless bees are called drones. Drones usually live within the hive, and as such, it’s rare to encounter one.
Bees with stingers are nonetheless non-aggressive.
They will only sting if you get too close or are perceived as a danger to their hive.
Bees can only sting once and die after losing their stinger.
Usually, a large swarm of bees signifies a swarm returning home after collecting pollen, and as such, they are not aggressive or dangerous.
Among wasps, only the females possess stingers. It is hypothesized that the “stinger” is merely an ovipositor, which is the case for most wasps.
They are more prone to aggression than bees.
Wasps can sting an endless number of times. Their stings are extremely painful, such as those of the tarantula hawks.
Ability to make honey
Honey is produced by bees from nectar collected from flowers.
The collected nectar is packed in the cells, covered, and subjected to a warm breeze made from their wings.
This turns the nectar into honey. Once dry, they cap the cell with beeswax.
Most wasps cannot produce honey. However, they do steal honey from other beehives!
The Mexican honey wasp is the only one that can make honey, but in much smaller quantities than bees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is stronger bee or the wasp?
In a fight between a bee and a wasp, stings are rarely used and jaws are the primary weapons.
Wasps have a tougher exoskeleton, more powerful jaws, and are more durable and agile.
In some cases, two wasps usually corner a single bee and tear apart its sting and head, ultimately taking its belly.
Even in one-on-one fights, the bee’s fate remains the same.
Is a wasp sting worse than a bee?
Both wasp and bee stings can be painful and cause swelling, and some people may have more severe reactions or even go into anaphylactic shock.
The potency of the venom in wasps is typically greater, but there is no easy answer when it comes to deciding which sting is worse, as it varies from person to person.
It is important to carry an EpiPen if you are allergic to bee or wasp stings and seek medical help immediately if you have a severe reaction.
Knowing how to avoid stings is also a good idea – the best strategy is always to just stay at a safe distance from either.
Can a wasp sting you 10 times?
Yes, wasps can sting you multiple times. They have smooth stingers, which are meant specifically to plant their eggs into host insects multiple times.
Practically, they use these stingers several times during their lifetime for this purpose.
Hence, it is possible for them to sting you many times if they perceive that they are being attacked.
The same is not the case with bees. Their stingers are curved and get lodged into your skin when they sting you.
This means that the bee effectively dies in the act of stinging.
What is the cure for a wasp sting?
Wasp stings can cause large, local reactions that may be life-threatening if they occur in the mouth, nose, or throat.
Treatment for local skin reactions includes removing the stinger, washing the area, applying a cold or ice pack, and using over-the-counter products or home remedies to reduce pain and itching.
If the sting occurs in a sensitive area or if serious symptoms occur, immediate medical attention is necessary.
Emergency treatment may include IV antihistamines, epinephrine, corticosteroids, lab tests, and breathing support.
Wrap Up
Bees and wasps are beautiful creatures that help pollinate our gardens. While wasps eradicate pests, bees give us honey.
Both should be appreciated rather than shunned or shooed away.
In any case, nature has equipped these insects with stingers, which is why they should be approached with care.
Wasp stings are especially painful.
However, both can result in an allergic reaction leading to anaphylactic shock. It’s best to seek immediate medical attention if that happens.
Thank you for reading.