Wasps, bees and hornets are insects of the Hymenoptera family. They should not be confused. Indeed, although they may have certain similarities, they are very different from each other, at various levels.
Morphology
The body of any hymenopteran insect is divided into 3 distinct parts: the head, the thorax and the abdomen, at the end of which is located the stinger.
The Wasp
An adult wasp measures around 1 to 2 cm. The animal is bright yellow and black in color and has very little body hair.
The bee
The bee is the smallest of these 3 insects with a size varying from 0.5 to 1.5 cm in adulthood. Its body is black or brown in color with yellow stripes. It is mainly distinguished from other species by its hairy character, especially at the level of its abdomen.
The Hornet
The hornet is the largest of the 3 with a size of up to 5 cm. Its body is black in color with orange or yellow stripes and its abdomen adopts a much more rounded shape than that of the bee or the wasp. And like the latter, it is less hairy.
Behavior and lifestyle
Just like the bee, the wasp and the hornet are useful to the ecosystem, in particular by participating in pollination. Nevertheless, they behave differently in nature.
The Wasp
Wasps generally live in colonies, led by a queen, and build their nests with chewed plant matter. As adults, they generally feed on sweet foods such as fruit nectars, honey, or even our sweet dishes. The larvae, on the other hand, are carnivorous. In general, wasps are not aggressive except when it comes to defending their nest or attacking their prey (flies, mosquitoes, etc.). Also, they can sting several times without endangering their lives.
The bee
Bees also live in colonies, under the command of a queen in a wax nest. The adults feed on fruit nectar and the larvae on pollen. They are also the only ones among these 3 species to produce honey. Bees are the least aggressive among these insects and only sting when they really feel in danger. They die immediately after the bite.
The Hornet
Like wasps, hornets build their nests from chewed plant matter and live in colonies. They basically feed on other insects such as flies, mosquitoes and even bees and wasps. They can sting several times to defend their nest or even their hunting territory.
Conclusion
Wasps, bees and hornets are essential to our ecosystem. For example, they actively participate in pollination and reduce the insect population. However, their bites remain painful and dangerous for allergy sufferers. It is therefore highly recommended to keep them as far away from your homes as possible, without killing them. To do this, you need to call professional like Solution Cimex. Do not hesitate to contact us for additional information on our offers.