Bees and Wasps – What Family Do Bees and Wasps Belong To?
WouterDespite their name, bees and wasps do not belong to the same family. Bees are a part of the order Apocrita, while wasps are a part of the order Hymenoptera. However, bees and wasps are related. Many of the species of bees and wasps are considered eusocial insects, meaning they live in colonies.
Several species of wasps are omnivorous. They may feed on pollen, insects, or secretions of the larvae of other species. Other wasp species are predatory, capturing specific prey. Parasitic wasps parasitize other animals by laying their eggs on their hosts. They then inject their host with venom to kill it.
There are three main body parts of a wasp: the thorax, the abdomen, and the wings. They have an ovipositor, a stinger, and biting mouthparts. They have a constricted region at the rear of their abdomen. They also have a hard exoskeleton.
The most commonly known species of wasps live in nests with an egg-laying queen. The nest is a paper-like structure composed of chewed plant material. The queen lays eggs that hatch into workers. The nest may be attached to twigs or juglike. The nests may also be made of mud.
The life cycle of wasps is similar to that of all insects. They reproduce rapidly. The males develop from unfertilized eggs, while the females develop from fertilized eggs. The males develop a sperm cell that is stored in a tightly packed ball inside the queen until it is needed next spring.
