Mistaken Identities: Bees vs. Wasps

Which came first, the bee or the wasp? In this case, we have a clear answer. When the first flowering plants evolved about 125 million years ago, some wasps began feeding on pollen and nectar in addition to hunting for prey. These pollen eaters eventually evolved into bees.

Bees often get all the pollinator props, but wasps gather pollen, too, and studies have found that they are important pollinators. In addition to pollinating plants, bees and wasps benefit their ecosystems by serving as food sources for other insects and for insect-eating animals like birds.

The fact that bees are descended from wasps explains some of their flying, buzzing, stinging, black-and-yellow similarities. Despite the similarities that bees and wasps share, there are key differences that set them apart.

Other Differences

Bees and wasps have other differences besides their body appearance, leg structure and stinger shape.

Diet

While most bees feed exclusively on nectar and pollen, most wasps are omnivores. In addition to eating nectar, they prey on other insects and larvae. They also scavenge for fruit and carrion. Because of their diet, wasps play a role in managing insect populations, including invasive species.

Nests

Both bees and wasps have species that are solitary—meaning they live and raise their brood alone—and species that are social. Social species live in large colonies that share resources like food and responsibilities like raising young.

Bees are known to build nests underground or in hollow stems or trees. Some, like carpenter bees, can create their own hollows by using their powerful jaws to make holes in wood where they can nest.

Most wasp nests are made of a gray, papery material and hang from tree branches or eaves. Some are made of mud or wood fibers.

Number of Species

There are over 20,000 known species of bees in the world. More than 4,000 are native to the United States, including carpenter and bumble bees. (Honeybees, though, are not one of those native species. Early settlers brought honeybee hives from Europe.) There are more than 100,000 known species of wasps, including hornets and yellow jackets. According to a reference guide about wasps from University of Maryland, more than 1,000 wasp species can be found in our state.

Bees, wasps and other pollinators are incredibly beneficial, but their populations are threatened by habitat loss, pesticides, disease and more. You can help by creating a certified wildlife habitat and native garden.