Wasps and bees, although sharing the same order of hymenoptera, exhibit notable morphological differences. Knowing how to distinguish them is essential for several reasons. First, for safety, as wasps, unlike bees, can sting repeatedly. Second, for the protection of biodiversity, each species having a unique role in the ecosystem.
Morphological Differences: A Visual Analysis
Careful observation of the morphology of wasps and bees makes it easy to distinguish them. Here are the main characteristics to examine:
Body
- Size and general shape: Wasps have a more tapered body, with a slender waist and an elongated shape, like the European Hornet for example. Bees, on the other hand, have a rounder and stockier body, such as the Honey Bee.
- Hairiness: Bees are covered with a dense and often furry hairiness, which gives them a downy appearance. The body of wasps, on the contrary, is smooth and shiny, like that of the Common Wasp.
- Color: Wasps are generally black and yellow in color, with distinct yellow and black bands on the abdomen. Bees have a more varied coloration, ranging from black and yellow to brown. However, they often have a pale yellow band on the thorax, as is the case with the Carpenter Bee.
Head
- Antennae: Wasps have short and thick antennae, while bees have long and thin antennae, as can be seen in the Honey Bee.
- Eyes: Wasps have larger compound eyes than bees. Eye size is an important criterion for distinguishing the two species, especially when observing the Mason Wasp.
Thorax
- Wings: At rest, wasps fold their wings, which overlap each other, as shown by the Yellow-legged Wasp. Bees, on the other hand, keep their wings straight and flat, like the Honey Bee.
- Legs: The legs of bees are covered with hairy brushes, used for pollen collection. Wasps do not have these brushes, like the Paper Wasp.
Abdomen
- Size and shape: The abdomen of wasps is thin and often marked by a constriction, which gives the impression that it is separated from the thorax. The abdomen of bees is rounder and more voluminous, like that of the Bumble Bee.
- Coloration: Wasps have distinct yellow and black bands on the abdomen, like the Common Wasp. Bees, on the other hand, often have a blurrier coloration and less marked bands, as in the Mason Bee.
Morphological Differences: An In-Depth Analysis
In addition to the morphological differences visible to the naked eye, there are more precise criteria that allow distinguishing wasps from bees.
Mouthparts
- Mandibles: Wasps have strong and sharp mandibles, used for cutting and chewing prey. The mandibles of bees are smaller and less aggressive, adapted for pollen collection, like the Honey Bee.
- Tongue: Bees have a long and thin tongue, used to suck nectar from flowers. Wasps have a shorter and thicker tongue, like the Mason Wasp.
Sting
- Shape and location: Wasps have a smooth and straight stinger, located at the end of the abdomen. The stinger of bees is barbed and is also located at the end of the abdomen.
- Consequences of the sting: Wasps can sting several times, because their stinger is not barbed and therefore remains in their body. Bees, on the other hand, can only sting once, because their barbed stinger detaches and remains in the skin of the victim. This sting is fatal to the bee.
By carefully observing the morphological characteristics, it is possible to distinguish wasps from bees. Wasps have a thinner and smoother body, short and thick antennae, folded wings at rest and a smooth stinger. Bees, on the other hand, have a rounder and furry body, long and thin antennae, straight wings and a barbed stinger. These differences make it possible to distinguish these two insects important for the ecosystem and human safety.