How Are Wasps and Bees Similar?
WouterDespite their common appearance, wasps and bees are not actually related. They belong to the order Hymenoptera, and they have different bodies and characteristics. In fact, some species of bees look almost like wasps, but they have different life cycles.
Most wasps live in colonies with a queen. A colony is made up of workers and drones. A queen usually overwinters in a protected spot. Social wasps use papery nests made of chewed fibers to attach to tree limbs and house eaves.
Solitary wasps, on the other hand, live alone in the ground or in an underground cavity. They construct nests made of mud or saliva. Some species nest in rock cavities or caves, while others construct mud tubes. They use spiders and other insects as food.
Both wasps and bees have four wings. They both feed on nectar and pollen. They also sip water. However, bees are less aggressive than wasps. Wasps are predators and hunt other insects and animals, while bees are herbivores and only sting when threatened. Bees are more common and are found in many different countries.
The coloration of both species is largely similar. They are a bright yellow, with striped markings on their bodies. They also have thicker legs, which are used to carry pollen loads. They are generally larger than wasps.
Both species are predators and control the population of other insects. Bees feed on nectar, pollen and other arthropods, while wasps feed on other creatures.
