Bumblebee and hornet: difference and similarity of striped flyers

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Insects around with warming are constantly active. It is impossible to imagine a meadow without buzzing bugs. There are a number of similar striped insects. These are a wasp, a bee, a bumblebee and a hornet, which have differences, despite obvious external similarities.

Content

Wasp, bee, bumblebee and hornet: different and similar
Comparative characteristics
Bumblebee and hornet: similarities and differences
Conclusion

Wasp, bee, bumblebee and hornet: different and similar

Many confuse similar striped insects. The difference in hairiness often helps to determine the type of insect, but it also does not help the ignorant person to determine the exact type.

Bumblebee, bee and wasp are different types of Hymenoptera. Hornets stand out separately, they are large in size, but they are one of the types of wasps.

Comparative characteristics

Bees are people's friends. They are well-known honey plants, they are beneficial, but they bite. They are most similar to bumblebees in appearance, this is especially evident in the shaggy body. They are one step higher in evolution than wasps. Bees rarely bite, they die after a bite.

Bees

Wasps are an intermediate link. They are vegetarians, some are carnivores. But they are more elegant, smooth, without hairs. They are aggressive, but in moderation. Before stinging, they give a warning headbutt. Some are single.

Wasps

Hornets are a type of social wasp, the largest of all representatives. They harm many honey plants and wasps. Hornets sting people painfully, and their houses are a real work of art. But they help gardeners to destroy pests.

Hornets

Bumblebees are furry buzzing flyers, most similar to bees, but larger in size. They make honey, but it is difficult to obtain and store. The benefit of them is that bumblebees perfectly pollinate plants, even in the coldest weather and those that do not like bees.

Bumblebees

In order to clarify the differences and similarities of insects, the characteristics are collected in a comparative table.

Index	Wasp	Bee	Hornet	Bumblebee
Sizes and shades	Yellow-black, from 1 to 10cm	Black or grey-yellow, rarely pale. 1-1,4 cm	Orange-black, about 4 cm	Yellow-black, with white 0,7-2,8 cm.
Bite and character	Stings and bites, maybe several times	Stings only when threatened, dies afterwards.	Calm, rarely bites, but the bite is very painful.	Peaceful, stings when threatened.
Lifestyle features	There are solitary and public individuals.	More often they live in families, several species are solitary.	They live in a colony, have a hierarchy.	Family insects with strict order.
Where do they winter	They hibernate, loners hibernate under the bark of trees.	Slow down activity in your home.	Only fertile females hibernate.	In cracks, holes, cracks and other secluded places.
Lifespan	Average 3 months	Depending on the type 25-45 days.	Males up to 30 days, females about 90 days.	About 30 days, same-year insects.
Number of species	More than 10 thousand	More than 20 tons of species	23 types of insects	300 species
Nests	From paper-like material, tearing off pieces and recycling them.	Symmetrical honeycombs in a row, made of wax.	Made of paper, similar to wasp. Secluded places, protected from strangers.	In the ground, on the surface, in the trees. From leftovers, wool and fluff.
Behavior	Annoying insect, can attack for no reason.	Loops around an object, examining it for danger.	The first does not attack, only in case of danger.	It flies apart, does not bother itself if you do not touch it.
Polet	Very fast, jerks and zigzags.	Smoothly, as if floating on air.	Zigzags and jerks, the speed is slightly lower than wasps.	Measuredly, cutting through the air, they often flap their wings.

Bumblebee and hornet: similarities and differences

The similarities and differences of insects can and should be considered by those who want to know how to behave in a situation where an insect is nearby. Also, people who do housework should represent who they meet. And, importantly, if a bite occurs, it is necessary to understand its danger.

Bumblebee

The bumblebee is a representative of pollinating insects, heavily covered with hair. It is covered with wide stripes, the bright ones can be yellow, orange or red. Bumblebees are social insects, but fly alone for pollen. Hard workers wake up earlier than others and are not afraid of low temperatures. Bumblebees prefer to build their homes in secluded places - in the ground, on a trunk or in a hollow, they love birdhouses in parks and gardens. The bumblebee only bites if it is in immediate danger. When a person crushes him or accidentally hooks on the nest, he runs the risk of being stung. In other cases, the insect will simply fly by on its own business.

Hornet

The hornet is the largest representative of social wasps. He is to a small extent engaged in pollination, he has a different role. The insect is a predator, often preying on aphids and other small garden pests. But it is aggressive and bees often suffer, they die. Hornet houses can be found in rock crevices, under rocks, balconies and eaves. The bite of a hornet is accompanied by swelling and burning, its poison is toxic and for allergy sufferers it can be fraught with anaphylactic shock. In attacks of aggression and in case of self-defense, hornets can bite and sting their prey.

Conclusion

Bumblebee and hornet are different and similar. These black and yellow stinging insects often fly in the garden from flower to plant. A careful consideration of them will help to get to know the description and features of a particular insect.

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