What is a bee?
A bee is a flying insect closely related to wasps and flies, known for their keystone role in pollination of the world’s plants. This insect category is made up of two groupings: solitary and social bees.
What distinguishes a bee from a fly or wasp?
- Pollen collection mechanisms
- Scopae – Dense mass of hairs on hind legs where pollen is collected and transported. If hairs are missing on leg, pollen may be collected within the airs along the abdomen.
- Corbiculae – Pollen basket or nook on the hind leg of bees within the Apidae family where pollen is collected.
- Head
- Antennae – Bee antennae vary in size, from short to very long; unlike flies and wasps, who only have one size antennae.
- Eyes – on side of head
- Mandibles – like jaws on insects are used for cutting, grasping, carrying and squeezing.
- Wings – Bees have four wings in total – two forewings and two hindwings. When at rest, bee wings lie flat against their body, unlike wasps, whose wings stick straight up in the air when not in flight.
- Body shape – Bees have a constricted waist between thorax and abdomen, distinguishing them from flies, which do not have such a clear separation on body parts.