What is the difference between wasp, bee, bumblebee, hornet

Going on vacation outside the city in the summer, there is a high probability of meeting stinging insects. Especially annoying are “minke whales” when there are sweet dishes on the table. And when trying to drive away the "uninvited guest", the insect can take revenge on the offender by inflicting a painful bite. Sometimes such attacks are very dangerous. It all depends on whose attention was attracted by the sweet treat. So honey producers are relatively friendly and attack a person only in case of threat. More aggressive in nature hornets and wasp, therefore, you should not neglect caution when meeting with them. What is the difference between wasp, bee, bumblebee, hornet, this article will help to understand.

How do they look

To determine if a hornet is a wasp or a bee, attention should be paid to the appearance of the insects.

• The most discreet black and yellow color in bees. Their furry body is characterized by harmonious proportions and the absence of sharp interceptions between the abdomen and chest. Honey producers have small jaws, black relatively thick and hairy paws.
• Wasp can be recognized by a sharp transition between the thoracic and abdominal regions, as well as a smooth, thinner and elongated body. The insect is distinguished by a bright contrasting color: there are yellow blotches on the black back, the back segment is painted in a black and yellow strip, yellow and limbs. The mouth-licking type of mouth apparatus is distinguished by impressive mandibles.
• Bumblebee much larger than the above brethren. Differences between a bumblebee and a bee and a wasp not only in the dimensions of the body, but also in the fluffy coat. Also, the bumblebee has wide stripes of yellow-red or slightly reddish color. Sometimes found bumblebees and black color.
• Hornet - the largest (about 5 cm) of the above insect is the owner of powerful jaws. Outwardly, the giant resembles a wasp, but not with such a narrow waist.

Nutrition and lifestyle

Bees feed exclusively on pollen and nectar. They do this with the help of a long proboscis. No less like flower nectar hornet and bumblebee. In addition to it, hornets feed on various sugar-containing berries and fruits. Small insects, including bees, are also eaten, successfully coping with a weak enemy through powerful jaws. There have been cases of hornets attacking even small animals.

Wasps are also predators and aggressors like hornets. However, they will never dare to attack a bumblebee or other large enemy. To fight with bees they are quite capable. But a victory in such battles is still more often won by honey producers adapted to aggression of offenders. Favorite treat for wasps ripe fruits and sugar-containing dishes (preserves, syrups, honey) are also.

Interesting!

And bumblebees, and bees, and wasps are social insects that lead a flock of life. However, bumblebees go in search of food one by one. Moreover, they try to collect nectar before other hymenoptera, which are still in the stage of sleep. Workers can spend up to 18 hours a day looking for food. Bees fly in small groups, while flocks of wasps can number up to 3 dozen individuals.

Hornets-workers go in search of food also one by one, overcoming for this a decent distance (up to 10 km).And if suddenly one of them succeeds in detecting a bee hive, a “mark” is put on it with the help of a fragrant secret, which will subsequently allow returning to the desired delicacy with their brethren. Hornets kill bees in a rather cruel way. They bite off their head and limbs, biting into the victim's body, striving to get to valuable meat. However, the main prey in the bee hive is still honey, wasps love to eat it too. It is for this reason that bees and hornets or wasps cannot exist next to each other.

Habitat

It is clear that the place of residence for domestic bees are man-built hives. Wild representatives of this family (wasps) prefer to build nests in the hollows of trees. Bumblebees are looking for more secluded places, building their houses in the ground, less often in birdhouses and tree trunks. Both those and others are found in the fields and in the villages; they can also be found in city parks and botanical gardens.

Hornets build nests in cracks of rocks, in hollows and on tree branches, as well as under the eaves of buildings. Almost everywhere wasps build them. The house of stinging insects can be located on the stems of plants, and in the branches of shrubs, and in the attics of baths, sheds or verandas. Biting off pieces of fiber from wood, they moisten them with their saliva, as a result of which the building material becomes like a thick paper.

Who bites harder

People quite often become victims of stinging insects, and therefore, the question often arises of who bites harder: wasps, bees, bumblebees or hornets.

On a note!

The most aggressive are wasps and hornets. These insects have a smooth sting, which they can pierce the skin of their victim several times. Moreover, the offender himself is not in danger in such a situation. Hornet bite and wasp accompanied by severe pain, burning sensation and swelling. Hornet venom (especially Japanese) The consequence of such an attack can be a severe allergic reaction, and even death.

A bee is able to sting once, as it leaves its sting in the body of the victim. The tools of the attack are prevented from notching back, as a result of which the insect loses some part of the body and soon dies. Therefore, bees sting only in exceptional cases. If you look for the difference in who stings harder, then bee sting less painful than wasps or hornets. In addition, when a danger arises, both bees and wasps are able to give a distress signal to their relatives, as a result of which an entire swarm pounces on the offender.

Bumblebees are less conflicting in this respect and attack their victim in exceptional cases. However, if you compare who is larger, or rather who stings more painfully between a bee, a wasp and a hornet, then a bumblebee will occupy the third position in this list.

The danger of a bee, wasp, bumblebee and even more hornet sting increases at times for people suffering from allergies. However, if you be careful and know what a dangerous offender looks like, then it is easy to avoid unpleasant situations.