Characteristics of Common Wasps & Bees

Wasps and bees are common insects. While these little creatures may have a negative connotation because of their stinging ability, they are actually extremely beneficial to the ecosystem in which they make their homes.

Habitat

Wasps and bees are found in nearly every part of the world except the coldest regions. Both insects typically have a hive mentality, living in massive colonies in either paper, mud or wax hives.

Diet

Wasps typically feed on other insects, while bees eat pollen and nectar from flowers in order to manufacture honey in their hives to eat later. Wasps may also eat some plants while young.

Growth

Both wasps and bees have many males for each female. Most hives only have one female, who reproduces in mass. They begin as wormy larvae and grow into their full form shortly after.

Function

Bees function to pollinate plants, a process that causes plants to flourish and multiply. Wasps are similar to spiders in that they keep pesky, highly reproductive insects from overpopulating areas

Differences Between Wasps and Bees

Wasps and bees have physical differences. Wasps are usually longer and have less hair, and they are able to sting multiple times while a bee is able to sting only once.

References

• Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium
• University of Michigan
• University of California Berkeley

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish