Which Bees Look Like Wasps?
WouterDuring the summer, stinging insects can be a real nuisance. They can cause intense pain, and can spread quickly. Some people may even be allergic to them.
Wasps are a group of insects that are closely related to bees. They are part of the order Aculeata. They have smooth bodies and are usually slender. They are generally omnivores. Their larvae feed on spiders and insects. Their larvae are capable of paralyzing their prey. They can sting multiple times.
Wasps and bees belong to the same order. They are similar in appearance, but there are several differences. Among the main differences are their bodies, their stingers, and their habits. They also differ in their colors. Some are tan, black, or jet black. Others are yellow, red, or white. Others are hairy.
Bees have a fuzz covering part of their bodies. Some of these fuzzes are plumose. These plumose hairs help the females carry pollen. They also help the females to trap pollen grains. Bees and wasps can be difficult to tell apart.
Bees and wasps have different nesting habits. Some of the social wasps lay their nests in tree trunks or branches, while others build underground nests. Social wasps have sterile females, whereas solitary wasps are responsible for caring for their young.
Bees and wasps both have a waist. The waist is the narrow constriction between the thorax and the abdomen. It is particularly prominent in the yellow mud dauber wasp. The waist is also visible in some parasitic wasps.
