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The insect photo demonstrates the differences between a bee and a wasp; they must be carefully studied by city dwellers before leaving for nature. Both insects sting painfully, and their bites can cause allergic reactions. It is worth knowing their habits, places where they can be found more often in order to protect yourself and children from attack. In addition, both species differ in varying degrees of aggressiveness.
What is the difference between a wasp and a bee
It is not so easy for a person living in a big city to immediately distinguish between two completely different flying insects. Similar in appearance, they emit a buzzing sound. Moreover, there are almost no differences in the sizes of common species found in the European part of the country. At a quick glance, their coloration may also appear to be the same.
The table shows the clear differences between a bee and a wasp:
What's the Difference | Bee | Wasp |
Color | Subdued: alternating honey-yellow and black stripes on the abdomen | Vivid: intense yellow stripes on the body alternate with rich blacks |
Body contours | The rounded-oval shape of the abdomen, near the contours are blurred due to the villi on the body | The body is smooth, elongated, divided into 2 unequal parts by a narrow bridge between the chest and the pointed abdomen, the contours are clear |
Where do they meet | On decorative flowers, on flowers of trees, garden crops, near tanks with water and water taps located on the street in the countryside | On ripe sweet fruits of fruit trees, rotten vegetables; on any products displayed on the street, including raw meat, fish, food waste, even rotten ones |
Behavior | They sting only in case of a threat to their own life, when approaching the hive | Aggressive, can sting without apparent threat to life |
The nature of the bite | Stings once, the sting remains in the wound | Can sting several times, the sting of the wasp pulls out |
Bee and wasp: differences
There are many differences between these insects, starting with their appearance, their way of life and behavior.
How to externally distinguish a wasp from a bee
The most striking feature of the difference between the two insects is the richness of their striped color. The expressive contrast of two intense colors that alternate on the wasp's body, black and yellow, makes a person immediately alert on a subconscious level.
The color of the bee is softer, yellow-brown, there is no sharp transition between calm yellow and black shades of stripes on the abdomen. As you can see in the photo, the bee differs from the wasp in a rather shaggy cover. In part, this impression is achieved due to the dense villi all over the body and on the legs of the bee. The main natural task of a beneficial insect is to collect more pollen with the help of its "furry" and transfer it to another flower for pollination.
Differences in the appearance of a bee and a wasp are easy to see in the shape of their bodies. Due to the large number of villi, the body of the honey worker does not have pronounced contours. The smooth cover of the wasp clearly outlines its predatory, aggressive natural color with a pointed abdomen.
There are also differences in the structure of the wings, the color of the legs, but they are considered only by specialists.When taking a macro shot in a photo of a wasp and a bee, the difference is that the second has special formations on the legs, where pollen accumulates, the so-called baskets. The result of labor is carried by the honey insect to the hive for the common good.
What is the difference between a wasp and a bee: a lifestyle comparison
These representatives of the order Hymenoptera, suborder stalk-bellied, as defined by entomologists, have many species. The most famous bees:
- public melliferous;
- single.
Among the wasps, there are the same varieties. The general above characteristic applies to most species of those and other representatives of the order of Hymenoptera. The difference between social species and solitary individuals is that the former have a uterus for raising offspring. She is taken care of by a family, where each of its members has their own tasks and responsibilities. And other species, solitary, reproduce independently. But all bees, regardless of their social organization, work to pollinate various plants. Up to 80% of all types of flora on the planet are under the bees' "control". This is their purpose.
Bees build honeycomb nests in trees, in rock crevices, and settle in abandoned rodent burrows on the ground. All chambers are covered with wax from the inside. This substance is a striking difference, with the help of which you can immediately understand which insect's nest was found. Man has learned to select honey, wax, pollen for his needs.
In colonies, the wasp takes care of itself. Aggressive insects often settle near human habitats: in gardens, small holes under roofs. The nests are also honeycomb-shaped, but built from chewed up bits of grass and wood. Structures are usually gray in color.
Wasp and bee: differences in nutrition
Insects have completely different food. The bees feed their larvae and feed themselves on pollen and nectar. The difference between a bee and a wasp is that the latter, being a predator, feeds its larvae with protein food - caterpillars, other insects, which benefits the gardens. Her diet also includes flower nectar, fruit and vegetable juice, any food waste, including spoiled proteins, carrion.
Do wasps give honey
Some species of wasps in the American continent are able to collect honey. But wax is not produced.
Wasps and bees: the difference in stings
Stinging insect bites are equally painful and can cause serious trouble for allergy sufferers. Particularly serious consequences are in the form of anaphylactic shock. It has been noticed that more often insects sting people who use perfumes and cosmetics. These chemical odors are perceived by both species as an immediate threat to themselves. They often attack people who are sweating after exercise or who have damp skin after bathing. Experts also argue that allergy sufferers are more likely to be attacked, in contrast to people who do not suffer from this disease.
Differences from a bee sting from a wasp in the photo are barely noticeable:
- swelling occurs, the magnitude of which depends on the characteristics of the reaction of the body of a particular person;
- the area where the poison is spreading turns red.
The difference in the chemical composition of the insect injected substance:
- the wasp has a poison with an alkaline reaction, therefore, to neutralize it, it is enough to rub the wound with vinegar;
- bee venom is characterized by an acid reaction, after a bite they save themselves by rubbing the sore spot with ordinary soap or alcohol.
Differences between the sting of a wasp and a bee
The defense weapon for both insects is similar, but there are some discrepancies. Carefully studying from the pictures how the wasp differs from the bee, you can notice the smooth sting of the first, with small notches at the end. An annoying insect will bite once, but can do it again, unlike another species.The bee sting is strongly serrated, the large teeth are directed upwards.
Why does a bee die after it stings
If a bee, protecting itself or its hive, drives the sting into the elastic tissue of the body, it is difficult for it to pull out its attack weapon because of its teeth. Trying to free itself, the insect breaks away from the sting, but leaves with it some of its internal organs. This moment, presented in the photo, is the main difference between a wasp and a bee.
How long does a bee live after a sting
The lifespan of a bee after being bitten depends on how much damage it has received. It happens that an insect will live only a few minutes. Sometimes 1.5-3 days. If bees attack insects, which have a hard chitinous cover, not elastic, it takes out the sting and remains alive. Although a more detailed study of the life of both species and their differences casts doubt on the necessarily happy outcome of such an attack.
How to tell a bee from a wasp
Summing up the differences between wasps and bees, it is important to point out that after the first acquaintance, any city dweller will recognize both. It is necessary to study well and familiarize children with how to distinguish a wasp from a bee using a photo. The first thing that will catch your eye is the bright color of the buzzing insect. Alternating black and lemon stripes, well-distinguishable body contours with a predatory pointed end will immediately signal that a wasp is flying around. The musical ear will also distinguish between humming differences, although the sounds are very similar. A wasp can aggressively curl around a person if it is attracted to some kind of food smell.
Representatives of the bee family are more peaceful and will react violently to the odor that irritates them from people only near the hives. A bee that works on a flower will never be distracted from its work, if it is not specially touched. The wasp's behavior is more unpredictable, and it sometimes breaks away from getting food, threatening humans. Knowing well what a bee and a wasp look like, you can live peacefully with them without dire consequences in the form of bites.
The main difference is the color of the bee, a mixture of muted yellow-black tones, not so provocative. Bumblebees and hornets are much larger.
Conclusion
Differences between a bee and a wasp photo taken during macro photography will help determine the type of insect. Bees are more common on flowers, wasps love ripe and sweet fruits, flock to the smell of fresh fish and meat. In no case should you investigate the nest of the Hymenoptera, which will fiercely defend it. When traveling to nature, it is better to give up perfumery and give preference to dull clothes.
