Bees and Wasps - Are Bees and Wasps in the Same Insect Family?

Despite the common misconception, bees and wasps are not actually members of the same insect order. They are actually two different groups, and the differences between them are considerable. They differ in appearance and in their feeding habits. They are part of the Hymenoptera order, which also includes sawflies and ants. But while bees are social insects, wasps are solitary.

Bees are herbivores. They subsist on pollen and nectar. Unlike wasps, bees have fuzzy hairs that attract pollen. They also have legs that are tucked in when they are flying. Bees have larger bodies than wasps. Their legs are thick and full. However, wasps have a narrow waist.

Wasps belong to the suborder Apocrita. They have black-and-white stripes on their abdomens. They have large eyes. They can send out pheromones to warn other insects of their presence. They also have a stinger. Some wasps feed pollen to their offspring, while others are omnivores.

A wasp’s wings are made of two pairs of membranous wings. Their hind wing margin bears hooked bristles. The wings of wasps are narrower and less veined than those of bees.

Most wasps are solitary insects, although some are social. Most solitary wasps build nests that are isolated from other insects. Some nest underground, while others nest in sheltered places. The nests of wasps are small, averaging about one inch in diameter. These nests are built in mud, sand, or soil. These nests can be found on the ground or in shrubs, trees, or eaves of buildings.