Bee or Wasp - What’s the Difference?

5. Summary

This table shows you the most important differences between bees, bumblebees, wasps and hornets at a glance.

Honey Bee

• Body shape: Round
• Hair: Yes (short)
• Color: Amber to brown
• Stinger: Barbed, dies after stinging
• Diet: Pollen, nectar

Photo: Ikordela/Shutterstock

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Bumblebee

• Body shape: Round
• Hair: Yes (long)
• Color: Amber to brown
• Stinger: Not barbed
• Diet: Pollen, nectar

Photo: Ian Grainger/Shutterstock

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Wasp

• Body shape: Thin, long
• Hair: Very little
• Color: Yellow
• Stinger: Not barbed, may sting multiple times
• Diet: Insects, food, drinks, leftover food

Photo: Timin/Shutterstock

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Hornet

• Body shape: Thin, long, large
• Hair: Very little
• Color: Yellow, reddish
• Stinger: Not barbed, may sting multiple times
• Diet: Insects

Photo: Christian Gusa/Shutterstock

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By the way: There are even bees that are completely black, glow blue or shimmer metallic green.

Carpenter Bee - Photo: Lynsey Grosfield/Shutterstock

Small Carpenter Bee - Photo: yod67/Shutterstock

• Table of Contents
• 0. Introduction
• 1. Size, Shape, Hair
• 2. Color
• 3. Behavior, Stinger
• 4. Diet
• 5. Summary With All Characteristics

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