Honey Bee vs. Wasp - What’s the Difference?

2. Color

Not all bees look the same. Depending on their habitat, they may be darker, lighter or have paler or brighter colors. Wasps, bumblebees and hornets look very different depending on the species.

What Color Are Bees?

Bees and bumblebees are pale yellow, yellow, amber, brown and black. They tend to be a little darker than wasps and hornets. The transition between the colors is soft.

Honey Bee

Honey Bee - Photo: Mirek Kijewski/Shutterstock

What Color Are Wasps?

Wasps and hornets have bright, bold, shiny colors that catch the eye. The colors are clear, and have sharp transitions. This is mostly due to the fact that they don’t have any hair to “blur” this transition. The hornet’s special coloring is unmistakable: they are dark to black at the head and bottom with red-brown markings at the head and top part of the body, while the abdomen is black-yellow.

Wasp

Wasp - Photo: Evgeniy Ayupov/Shutterstock

Color:

• Honey Bee: Yellow, amber, brown / dark brown
• Bumblebee: Yellow-orange, brown/black
• Wasp: Yellow, black
• Hornet: Orange-red brown, yellow, black

Color Intensity:

• Honey Bee: Dull
• Bumblebee: Deep, rich
• Wasp: Bright, light, bold
• Hornet: Bright, light, bold

• Table of Contents
• 0. Introduction
• 1. Anatomy and Appearance
• 2. Color
• 3. Behavior (Stinging)
• 4. Diet
• 5. Summary With All Characteristics