There are four different insects that all look like the actual honeybee: the honeybee itself, the bumblebee, the hornet/wasp, and the hoverfly. These are some of the characteristics to go over when identifying your honeybee.
Step 1: Wings
The honeybee, bumblebee, and hornet/wasp all have four large font wings and four small back wings. They are held together by microscopic hooks to make a single aerofoil that are usually parallel along the back, and overlapping when at rest. The hoverfly, only has two wings that are held at an angle when at rest.
Step 2: Antennae and Mouth parts
The antennae for the honeybee, bumblebee, and the hornet/wasp are obvious, stout and relatively long, whereas the hoverfly has an insignificant, short, knob-like antennae. In regards to the mouthparts, honeybees and bumblebees have jaws that are usually hidden by hairs, as well as a relatively long tongue. The hornet/wasp has large powerful jaws and there tongue is almost hidden. The hoverfly has no jaws with an elbowed tongue with soft blob-like tip.
Step 3: Eyes
The eyes for the first three kind of insect are oval or kidney-shaped and relatively small. The hoverfly, however, has large eyes, often more big on males.
Step 4: Color
The color is the thing that is different for all four insects, and therefore, the most noticeable. The honeybee is brown and black with orange bands on the abdomen. The bumblebee is black, white, red, orange or brown, in large bands. The hornet/wasp is black or brown with yellow or orange bands. The hoverfly is variously colored to mimic all bees and wasps.
Step 5: Body
The honeybee body is smooth with some hairs on the thorax and bands on the abdomen. The bumblebee body is densely furry all over. The hornet/wasp is almost hairless. The hoverfly is usually almost hairless, unless they are mimicking the bumblebee.
Step 6: Back Legs
The honeybee has back legs with prominent combs of hairs forming a pollen basket, which are often obscured by the mass of harvested pollen. The bumblebee has a similar pollen basket, but it is missing in males and “cuckoo” species, which are when the queens lay eggs in the nests of the other bumblebees. The hornet/wasp and hoverfly do not have pollen baskets.
Step 7: Sting
Honeybees have stingers in their worker bees and are quick to use it when they are threatened. Bumblebees have both the queen bee and worker bees with stingers, but they rarely use it unless the bee is picked up. Hornets/wasps have stingers in the queen bees and worker bees, and are quick to use it if their nest is approached. Hoverflies do not have stingers.
Step 8: Behavior
Honeybees are busy and they focus on foraging in large numbers at many different groups of open flowers. The bumblebee is busy and focuses on foraging in low numbers at more tubular flowers with deep corollas. Hornet/wasps visit some flowers but mainly focus on hunting for their insect prey. Hoverflies visit many different flowers and are skilled at hovering, especially territorial males.
There are many similarities and differences between these four insects. It is important to be aware of them when identifying your honeybees. No one likes being called the wrong names. ;)
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