Investigations to find out who’s who in the bee, wasp, and hornet world can be tricky. After all, these creatures look similar enough to one another to confuse even the most seasoned of experts. But, with a little bit of help, you can discover the difference between these powerful and resilient bugs. In this article, you’ll dive into the world of bees, wasps, and hornets and learn how to distinguish between them.
1) Bzzzz… What is That?! Identifying Common Flying Insects
There is something mysterious and magical about flying insects, their alien-like buzzing filling the air and often drawing our attention upwards. And yet, you may not have given much thought to what kind of insect is buzzing overhead, or the life cycle of the winged creature. The following unnumbered list details the most frequently encountered types of flying insects:
- Moths: With their thick coats of fur, moths hide away during the day and emerge when darkness falls. They are attracted to bright lights, especially those from the moon, and can often be seen hovering around a porch light.
- Butterflies: Softly flitting from flower to flower, butterflies come in a spectrum of colors and sizes. During the day, look for these delicate bugs amongst the petals of the prettiest blooms.
- Dragonflies: These curious insects spend much of their lives away from our sight, living in the water. But when their wings dry in the sun, look for them in the sky, often hovering with their four wings and two long antennae.
- Bees: The steady buzzing of bees is hard to miss, and the yellow and black tinge of their bodies easily stands out amongst a backdrop of greens and blues. Look for them foraging on flowers, collecting nectar and pollen.
When you glimpse a flying insect, it can be exciting to try to identify it. Feel free to take a few minutes to enjoy the beauty of the insect and watch its movements.
While it can be pretty difficult to differentiate between types of insects, once you understand the distinguishing features of each species you will easily be able to identify them. For instance, moths have antennas that are feather-like and petal-shaped wings, and butterflies have thinner antennae and brightly-colored wings shaped like fans. In addition, dragonflies have an unparallelled speed and agility in flight — they move so unpredictably it’s nearly impossible to keep up — while bees are extremely persistent and can cling to whatever they land on.
By observing the behaviors and physical characteristics of these flying insect species, you can gain an appreciation for their behaviors, habitats, and the world around us.
2) Honeybee: How to Identify the Sweetest of the Bunch
Knowing how to identify the sweetest honeybee in the bunch is essential for beekeepers who are looking to produce superior honey.
- Honeybee size and colour: Smaller, darker bees are known to produce the most flavorful honey. Generally, these bees have a more intense flavor profile, as they are able to collect a greater array of initial nectar sources to turn into honey.
- Pollen-collecting habits: Honeybees that focus on collecting certain types of pollen have a greater chance of producing vibrant flavors. For instance, honeybees that primarily visit heather flowers tend to create a honey with a distinct, lightly floral flavor.
Furthermore, beekeepers can look to the size of the bee’s hive to help identify sweet honeybees. Generally, larger hives contain more workers and therefore can create more honey than smaller colonies. Additionally, larger hives indicate a healthier, stronger colony. This increased vitality results in a higher level of nectar collection, which can lead to greater honey production and superior sweetness.
The flavors of honey produced by a colony can also be affected by seasonal changes. During the late summer and early fall, honeybees will often rely on increased nectar sources to bolster their honey production. On the other hand, springtime may yield the most flavorful honey from a particular colony, as the bees can take in a wider variety of pollens to craft the sweetest honey. Beekeepers should pay close attention to the changing of the seasons in order to identify the sweetest honeybees in the bunch.
3) Wasps: When Socializing Becomes Dangerous
Wasps are incredibly complex and essential social creatures that for the most part, can be beneficial. However, when their nests are encroached upon, they can be incredibly dangerous. In these cases, it’s important to know the warning signs and how to safely protect yourself.
The Danger Zones
Wasps are particularly sensitive to disruption near their nests. The closer you get, the more aggressive they become. Their natural reaction is to attack when they feel threatened or if you get too close to their home. Not only are their stings incredibly painful, but they can also become quite dangerous if the person is allergic to wasp stings.
- Ground-dwelling nests – construct nests out of materials from the ground such as mud and small stones
- Trees or rooftops – wasps will also build nests out of materials found in these places, such as leaves and twigs
- Man-made structures – manufactured nests are found near places where people can feed and be close to the wasps, such as near man-made sheds or patios
Protect Yourself
To avoid any hazardous situations, it’s important to take the necessary precaution when approaching wasps. It’s important to use protective gear when necessary, such as protective eyewear, long sleeved clothes, and gloves to avoid any dangerous stings. Wasps are also sensitive to sound, so make sure to keep the noise down and move slowly to avoid provoking them. If the nest is in an inaccessible area, it‘s best to let a professional exterminator handle it.
4) Hornets: The Terrifyingly Beautiful
Bees and wasps get a lot of air time as the most feared insect, but hornets can be a whole other level of impressive and frightening! They have the power to take down a bee colony and can even survive your average insecticide. These impressive creatures are not only feared by fellow insects, but also make us take notice with their bright colors and poise.
Hornets come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be found in most regions of the world. Most species have predominantly yellow and brown coloration but some variants are blue or even bright purple. They have powerful, wide wings and, depending on the species, can reach up to 3 or 4 cm. As intimidating as they look, they are also quite beautiful and graceful creatures.
It’s not just their looks that makes them formidable. Hornets have an array of complex behaviors, including forming colonies and even using flight patterns to communicate with each other! They are also very skilled hunters and can take down large prey. This along with their agility and speed makes them quite the force to be reckoned with.
So don’t judge these creatures by their appearance, although they may look intimidating they are also incredibly beautiful. Experiencing them in nature – albeit from a safe distance – is a unique opportunity that few other insects can provide.
5) Defensive vs. Aggressive: What Makes Each Unique
When it comes to playing sports, defensive and aggressive tactics can determine a team’s success. Each style has its own unique advantages and can be tailored to different games, depending on the team’s preferences or its opponents’ strategies.
Defensive strategies focus on keeping the ball out of the goal and therefore limit a team’s offensive potential. To stay secure, defenders should stay in a compact formation and defend their goal at all times. Communication and organization are essential for a team to be successful at its defensive tactics.
- Close coordination
- Limit offensive potential
- Defend the goal
Aggressive tactics on the other hand aim to attack and score goals, making the most of offensive capabilities. Attacking teams have to be aware of their opponents’ defensive tactics, but also require their players to be creative and take risks to break through the defense. The aim of aggressive tactics is to put a lot of pressure on a team, increase the effectiveness of shots and passes, and quickly outnumber opponents in the attacking area.
- Focus on attacking
- Be creative in offense
- Increase effectiveness of shots and passes
Both defensive and aggressive strategies can be effective depending on the team’s playing style, so it’s important for a coach to understand the strengths of each approach. A combination of the two may even be the most successful option in the long run.
6) Life Cycle Differences: Stages of a Bee, Wasp, and Hornet
The Busy Lives of Bees, Wasps and Hornets
The lives of bees, wasps, and hornets have certain major similarities, yet many distinct differences, particularly within their life cycles. While bees, wasps, and hornets generally operate within the same life cycle stages as each other, there are some interesting variables in each of their life cycles.
Bees
Bees have one of the most complex life cycles out of any insect. The full cycle starts with:
- Egg Stage – A female bee will lay eggs in a sealed brood cell
- Larval Stage – The larvae will hatch within the cell and feed on food provided by the mother bee
- Pupal Stage – The larvae will form into pupae and molt into adult bees
- Adult Stage – A new bee is born!
Bees will then pollinate flowers, increase their hive population, and build comb for their eggs. Bees have relatively brief adult lives, generally ranging from 2-4 weeks.
Wasps
The life cycle of a wasp is substantially different from a bee, however the stages are similar. Wasps begin their life cycle with:
- Egg Stage – Wasp eggs are deposited in a nest and closely guarded
- Larval Stage – While inside the nest, the larvae are also fed by the mother wasp
- Pupal Stage – In the pupal stage, the larvae then will form a hard, protective covering and develop into the adult wasp
- Adult Stage – Fully developed, these wasps will march on and scavenge food for their offspring
Unlike bees however, adult wasps have a lengthy lifespan which will stretch out up to a year or more in some cases.
Hornets
Hornets also have a similar life cycle structure as bees and wasps, but with an important difference. In addition to the egg, larval, and pupal stages, Hornet larvae also have an intermediate stage known as:
- Instar Stage – In this stage, the larvae will shed the skin they hatched in and form into larvae with fewer legs
Hornets have a much shorter lifespan than bees or wasps, usually ranging from only four to eight weeks.
With their individual lifecycles, bees, wasps, and hornets can provide important ecological services as indispensable pollinators, insectivores, and prey. Busy for such short periods of time, these clever creatures powerfully contribute to the rich web of life.
7) Coexisting with the Hornets: What to Do and Not Do
Hornets may have a bad reputation but they are mostly harmless unless provoked. Consequently, if you live in an area where hornets are a problem, understanding their behavior makes it easier to coexist peacefully.
What to Do:
- Understand and accept that hornets are part of your environment.
- Leave hornets alone and don’t disturb their nests.
- Set up wasp traps around the nest and watch from a distance.
- If possible, relocate the nest to another area on your property.
- Contact a pest professional if you are having an issue with an infestation.
What Not to Do:
- Don’t attempt to remove the nest on your own.
- Don’t block the entrance to the nest.
- Avoid swatting or hitting them.
- Don’t try to capture them.
Remember, hornets are beneficial insects that can help keep pests at bay and should only be removed if there is a need. Knowing how to coexist with them will help ensure they don’t become a problem. Be sure to keep an eye out for them and practice safe, humane cohabitation methods.
8) Conquering Your Fears: Learning to Love the Stingers in Your Life
Like facing a daring opponent on the battlefield, conquering your fears is a noble and essential part of the journey that is life. Once you overcome your fears, you will have access to the full potential of your emotional capacity and all that life has to offer.
Fears are born out of apprehension and anxiety. When we’re afraid, we can easily become overwhelmed and our judgment begins to falter. The best way to face any fear is to confront it without any preconceived assumptions. Being open-minded and gathering as much information as possible will help you to better understand and work through your fear.
- Identify the root cause of your fear
- Understand your fear
- Develop strategies to effectively manage and cope with your fear
- Challenge your fear and take small steps to confront it
No matter how daunting the task may seem, the best way to overcome a fear is to face it head-on. Start by finding a safe way to gradually work through your fear. By tackling it bit-by-bit, you can slowly learn to let go of your fears and build the necessary skills for successful fear-management. As you begin to make progress, remember to celebrate small victories and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
Let’s wrap things up with a wild bit of trivia: While bees, wasps, and hornets can sting us, their venom in its most potent form won’t even harm most of us. So next time you spot one of these fascinating creatures, take a few moments to appreciate them from a safe distance- and never forget, there’s something fascinating about each one!