Honeybee Identification Guide

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Color

HoneyBees

Varies, but generally amber to brown translucent, alternating with with black stripes.  Some are mostly black.

Bumblebees

Yellow with black stripes.

Coat

Size

Legs

Behavior

Food

Stinger

Lives

Fury (short hair)

1/2 Inch (1.3 cm)

Pollen baskets are visible

Gentle unless hive is threatened

Nectar from flowers

Barbed, one sting only.  Kills the bee.

Large colonies

Furry (long hair)

1 inch (2.5 cm)

Pollen baskets visible

Gentle

Nectar from flowers

Smooth, can be used indefinitely

Small cavities in the ground

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Wasp Identification Guide

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Color

Coat

Size

Legs

Behavior   

Food

Stinger   

Lives   

Yellow Jacket

Black and Opaque bright yellow stripes

Smooth

1/2 inch (1.3 cm)

No Pollen Baskets.  Two long legs visible during flight

Aggressive

Other insects, sugar drinks, overripe fruit

Smooth, retractable can be used multiple times

Small "papery" nests hanging vertically

Paper Wasp

Dusty Yellow to dark brown or black

Smooth

3/4 - 1 inch (2 - 2.5 cm)

No Pollen Baskets. Long Legs

Gentle

Other insects

Smooth, retractable, can be used indefinately

Small "papery" nests hanging vertically