Different Types of Bees & Wasps
Bees and wasps are flying insects known for their ability to put a painful sting on anyone that crosses them. Bees and wasps make their own nests and are considered pests by many. Despite this, bees help in the creation of honey, and some wasps take out other insects. While thousands of different species of bees and wasps exist, there are a number of species you'll see fairly regularly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Common Bees
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Bumblebees and honey bees are among the most commonly seen types of bees. Bumblebees, which are black and yellow, rest on flowers and help with pollination and honey production. Honey bees are more active, which means they are even more vital for pollination and producing honey. They are capable of making giant hives that house thousands.
Ground Bees
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As their name implies, ground bees live underground and even build nests there. Ground bees often build their nests underground so no one can disturb them, and they will sting anyone who tries to damage a nest. They are not likely to sting in other circumstances.
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Carpenter Bees
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Carpenter bees earn their name by making nests for their young out of wood. They lay eggs in the wood and make tiny holes to live in. Carpenter bees can cause damage to your home but mostly stay away from people. Carpenter bees have round bodies, and most of them are female.
Killer Bees
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Killer bees are native to Africa and get their name from poison they distribute when they sting. While one killer bee sting isn't likely to be fatal, accumulated stings can be. Killer bees are extremely temperamental toward those who disturb them or their hives. These bees seldom live longer than two months.
Mason Bees
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Mason bees are among the smallest types of bees. They usually stay away from people and have a greenish color. Unless strongly provoked, mason bees do not try to sting. Mason bees help a lot with pollination and make their nests from mud.
Wasps
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Wasps look different from bees due to their slender appearance and long legs. They build smaller nests than bees but deliver a more painful sting when disturbed. Yellow jackets are wasps that build nests underground. This means people should be careful when walking around in the spring, as yellow jackets also have strong stinging ability.
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References
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