Many people encounter buzzing insects and often mistakenly group hornets and bees together. This common confusion stems from superficial resemblances, yet these insects belong to distinct biological groups with unique characteristics. Understanding their differences reveals insights into their roles in the natural world.
Hornets: Wasps, Not Bees
Hornets are a type of wasp, not a type of bee. While both belong to the insect order Hymenoptera, their evolutionary paths diverged significantly over 100 million years ago. Bees are classified under the family Apidae, while hornets fall within the family Vespidae, which encompasses all wasps.
Wasps, in general, exhibit characteristics that differentiate them from bees. They typically possess more slender bodies with a distinct, narrow waist, or petiole, connecting their thorax and abdomen. Unlike the fuzzy appearance of bees, wasps and hornets have smoother, less hairy bodies.
Distinguishing Features
Biological and behavioral differences exist between hornets and bees.
Hornets generally have a more elongated, sleeker body shape, often appearing black and white, or black and yellow, sometimes with brown or reddish hues. Their bodies are notably smooth and lack the dense, fuzzy hair found on most bees. Bees, conversely, tend to have rounder, stouter bodies covered in fine hairs that aid in pollen collection, with colors ranging from traditional yellow and black to metallic greens and blues. When flying, hornets often dangle their legs, whereas bees typically keep them tucked close to their bodies.
Their diets represent a significant divergence. Bees are primarily herbivorous, feeding on nectar for carbohydrates and pollen for protein, which they also collect to provision their young. This dietary specialization makes bees crucial pollinators. Hornets, however, are omnivores and predators, frequently hunting other insects to feed their larvae. Adult hornets also consume tree sap and sugary substances, sometimes scavenging on decaying fruit or human food.
Nesting habits also vary considerably. Bees construct their nests using secreted wax, often building intricate hexagonal combs within sheltered cavities like hollow trees, rock crevices, or underground burrows. Hornet nests are typically made from a papery material. This material is produced by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with saliva, resulting in a pulp that dries into a paper-like structure. These nests are often spherical or teardrop-shaped, with a protective outer layer and a single entrance, commonly found hanging from trees, shrubs, or within wall voids and attics.
The nature of their stingers also differs. Most bees, particularly honeybees, possess barbed stingers; when they sting, the stinger often remains embedded in the victim’s skin, leading to the bee’s death. Conversely, hornets and other wasps have smooth stingers, allowing them to sting multiple times without dying. While a hornet’s sting can be painful due to its size and venom volume, the venom itself is less toxic than a bee’s.
Why the Common Misconception?
The widespread confusion between hornets and bees stems from several superficial similarities. Both are flying insects that share a general body plan and are observed in similar outdoor environments like gardens and parks. Their striking yellow and black coloration contributes significantly to misidentification, as these patterns are common across many stinging insects.
Both hornets and bees are stinging insects, and their ability to inflict a painful sting makes many people wary of them, leading to less close observation. Both groups also include social species that live in colonies, sometimes building visible nests, which further blurs distinctions for the casual observer.