Differences Between Bees and Wasps

Both bees and wasps are remarkable insects. Each has an important role to play in the ecosystem and to an extent – in our daily lives. Although they may seem very similar at first glance, they are actually very different. In this guide, I will help you understand the differences between bees and wasps. How their behaviors, diet, nests and roles in the environment make each unique and special.

You may be surprised to learn that as a beekeeper, I am often asked questions about non-bee insects. Yet, beekeepers do need to know some wasps basics because they are often predators of honey bees.

How Bees and Wasps are Different

They both have the ability to sting-if you get too close or they feel threatened. This is one of the main reasons it is beneficial to learn more about the ways wasps and honey bees differ.

Understanding their particular behavior patterns may save you or your family some painful stings in the future. And, it enables us to understand the importance of each and their contributions to the environment.

Physical Characteristics

Though closely related, wasps and bees have some rather important physical differences. In fact, it is easy to tell them apart – if you can get them to sit still long enough.

Body Shape and size

The anatomy of a bee is well-designed for plant pollination. Many plants rely on bee pollination to produce fruit or seed. Members of the wasp family however are predators – sleek and powerful.

Bees

Most of us would have little trouble being able to identify a honey bee. But, all bees have some common features.

• bees have bodies covered in fuzzy hair. (Even the honey bees’ eyes have hair!)
• they are rounded and stout in appearance
• the size of bees varies (honey bees – around 15 mm – bumble bees can reach up to 25mm)

Wasps

Wasps have shiny sleek bodies with small waists. (Have you ever heard of the term – “wasp waist”?) This is where the term originated.

• slender smooth bodies
• longer cylindrical shape – sleek
• size ranges from yellowjackets (10-15 mm) to larger hornets (up to 30 mm)

Hair & Texture

Another recognizable difference between bees and wasps is the texture and presence of hair on their bodies.

Bees

• bodies are covered with numerous branched hairs
• have a generally fuzzy appearance
• hairs play a role in transferring pollen from flower to flower

Wasps

• shiny body – no hair
• sleek body contribute to agility and speed of flight
• hair not needed – they don’t collect pollen

Understanding these notable difference between bees and wasps helps us understand how they are well developed for their differing roles in the environment.

The hind legs of a honey bee hang down as they fly and are flat .You will sometimes see colorful balls of pollen on their hind legs.

The same is true for another popular bee – bumble bees. Honey bees and Bumble bees (which are native) share many characteristics.

The hind legs of a wasp are not flat-but rounded. You will not see a wasp carrying ball of pollen on its legs. They do not rely on pollen as a protein source for young.

Behavior & Temperament

The level of aggression or defensiveness is likely the most well known difference between bees and wasps. This should come as no surprise – one insect is a pollinator and the other a predator. Yet, it is this behavioral difference that causes wasps to be unpopular.

Bees

• normally non-aggressive unless provoked
• honey bees have a barbed sting – they can only sting once
• honey bees sting for defense or to protect their hive
• bumble bees are even nicer and rarely sting unless threatened

Wasps

• more aggressive and territorial (i.e. honey bees vs yellow jackets)
• quick to defend their home
• a wasp stinger is smooth and can sting multiple times
• become more aggressive in late Summer when nests are large and food scarce

Diet and Feeding Habits

Another major differences between bees and wasps is diet and feeding habits. One is a gatherer of pollen and nectar and the other is a predator. One is a meat eater and the other is not!

What Bees Eat

Bees are mostly herbivorous. Honey bees eat substances produced by plants to get energy and protein.

• nectar (honey)
• pollen (bee bread)

Honey bees make honey from plant nectar and store it as a source of Winter food. Bumble bees make small quantities of honey but they do not overwinter as a family nest.

Pollen is the protein source used by both for brood rearing. Bees help enrich the environment by increasing the yield of fruits, nuts and seeds that other forms of life eats – including humans.

What Wasps Eat

Wasps have a much more varied diet than bees. Their feeding habits reflects their role as predators and scavengers.

• adult wasps feed on nectar and other sugary substances
• predatory wasps hunt other insects: caterpillars, flies, spiders, bees
• scavenging on human food leftovers – meat etc.
• help control pest populations by preying on insect pests

Like bees, some wasps are attracted to sweets or sugary drinks. The wasps however are a lot bossier about it.

Wasps eat other insects as a source of protein – they do not gather pollen. Therefore, they have only a minimal effect as pollinators. Their varied diet means they can be both beneficial and a nuisance, especially around human activity.

Nesting Behavior

The nesting behavior of bees vs wasps (including construction) is very different. In fact, it can be used to identify them in many situations. Learning to recognize a bee nest vs wasp nest is a valuable skill.

Bees

Honey bees are social insects that live in large groups -40,000 to 60,000 members during the summer. Most bees in the world as solitary insects that live alone.

• honey bees: produce beeswax to build waxy hexagonal combs to form the structure of their nest: found in hollow trees, rock crevices or man-made beehives
• bumble bees: construct smaller nests made of a waxy substance: often nest in abandoned burrows in the ground, compost piles or under sheds
• solitary bees: each female creates individual nests, often in hollow stems, wood cavities, or underground tunnels

Wasps

Wasps can be social or solitary insects. Large social wasp colonies can have 10,000 members or more. (For example – Yellow Jacket Wasps).

• paper wasps: create umbrella shaped nest from wood fiber created by mixing plant materials with saliva – under eaves, in shrubs or other structures
• Yellow jackets: build nests underground or in wall cavities- also made of paper-like material but larger and more enclosed than paper wasps
• Hornets: construct large grey paper nest often in trees. These aerial nests can be very large.

Key Facts of Bees vs Wasps

One easy way to see the relationship and difference between any life form is to look at their scientific classification.

Scientific Classification

Bees

Much more than just a line on some scientific chart, these relationships help us understand why honey bees share similar characteristics yet – they differ from other insects in aspects of their daily lives.

The honey bee is “Apis mellifera“- Apis for “bee” and mellifera for “honey -producing. You will find the name spelled both as 2 words and as a single word. I will leave the argument of the most correct interpretation to others.

A Nod to The Hornets (the other wasps)

Yes, hornets are actually a subspecies of wasps. I felt they deserved a special mention because their sting “packs a punch”. 

These large very aggressive predators, are social wasps living in large colonies. In fact, hornets and bees have a predator-prey relationship.

Their sting hurts, I mean they really hurt. They are also defensive of their hive. Teach your children to understand what a hornet nest looks like. Tell them to stay away. Far Away.

FYI -(The insect called a Bald-faced Hornet is not a true hornet but a species of yellow jacket wasp). But, hornet vs wasp – it does not matter what you call it, if it stings you it will hurt !)

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