Wasps and bees (particularly honey bees) are often confused with each other due to a sometimes similar appearance, but they do exhibit distinct visual differences and levels of threat. Understanding these disparities can help people identify and appropriately respond to these insects.
Visual Differences
Firstly, let’s examine the visual disparities between bees and wasps. Bees generally have a more robust and hairy body compared to wasps, which tend to be sleeker and smoother. Bees typically have rounded, plump bodies with varying degrees of hairiness, whereas wasps have slender bodies with a smooth texture.
Additionally, bees usually have more pronounced and vibrant colouration, ranging from bright yellows and oranges to deep browns and blacks, often with distinct markings. Wasps, on the other hand, commonly display yellow and black stripes or patches, though some species may exhibit different colour patterns.
However, the confusion between honey bees and wasps arises due to their similar slim bodies. Honey bees are often mistaken for wasps, especially from a distance or to those unfamiliar with their differences. This misidentification can lead to unnecessary fear and misguided attempts at extermination.
Level of Threat
Beyond their physical appearance, bees and wasps also differ in their levels of threat. Bees are far less aggressive than wasps and are more likely to sting only when they feel threatened or when defending their hive.
Female Honey bees, for example, will usually only sting as a last resort, as they die shortly after stinging. This is because they evolved to have barbed stingers to sting other bees and insects.
When bees sting thick-skinned mammals (such as humans), their barbs become lodged. In attempting to break free, the bee tears away a portion of its abdomen and internal organs, leading to its demise a few minutes later. While bees lack conventional blood, they essentially succumb to “bleeding out”. However, be aware that venom will continue to be pumped into the wound even after the bee has detached its stinger.
Bumble bees, while capable of stinging multiple times, are also relatively docile unless threatened. However, wasps can sting repeatedly without dying, and sometimes unprovoked.
Furthermore, solitary bees such as mining bees and mortar bees, which do not sting, are sometimes mislabelled as aggressive wasps due to their slim wasp-like bodies. These solitary bees are essential pollinators and typically pose no threat to humans. However, their solitary nature and nesting habits—such as burrowing into the ground or mortar—can lead people to mistake them for wasps. Despite being labelled as solitary bees, if the location is right for them, there can be many thousands congregating which can feel very intimidating if you think they are wasps.
Wasps are aggressive in nature, and the wasps that guard their nest entrances are always on high alert for potential dangers. They will attack very quickly and also release an alarm pheromone into the air that can send the entire colony into an aggressive frenzy.
Why Are Bees Less Dangerous?
In contrast to the aggressive behaviour of wasp, bee swarms are relatively docile and are typically not a cause for alarm. When honey bee colonies become overcrowded, they may swarm with thousands of bees temporarily; clustering together while scouts search for a new nesting site.
However, despite their intimidating appearance, bee swarms are usually not aggressive and will move on within an hour or two of settling in a new location. In rare cases, some swarms may stay as long as a day or two.
For pretty much every variety of bee, it is possible to coexist without risk to our health, and many see it as a privilege to live alongside nature’s greatest pollinators.
The Differences in Wasp and Bee Stings
Wasp and bee stings differ in both their venom composition and their aggressiveness. Wasp stings typically contain a higher level of venom, leading to more intense pain and immediate swelling.
The venom of a bee sting, on the other hand, is less potent but often causes allergic reactions in sensitive individuals due to the presence of proteins.
Discover more details by reading our Wasp and Bees Stings article.
Summary
Bees and wasps exhibit distinct visual differences and levels of threat. While bees typically have a more robust and hairy appearance and are less aggressive than wasps, they are often mistaken for wasps due to their similar slim bodies.
Solitary bees, such as mining bees and mortar bees, which do not sting, are also sometimes misidentified as aggressive wasps.
Understanding these differences and behaviours can promote peaceful coexistence with bees, which are valuable pollinators, and allow the right actions to be taken when it comes to wasp nests, which can be dangerous. Get in touch with us for advice or wasp removal services today!
