Bees are one of the most common adornments of nature. However, have you ever wondered what they really are? Are Bees insects? Where are they placed in the animal kingdom?
Well, read on to discover all you need to know about the identification of the Buzzing Bees!
Are Bees insects?
As you might know, Bees, along with other invertebrates and vertebrates, are classified members of the Animal Kingdom.
And this arrangement, which is the outcome of decades of classification by various scientists, was based mostly on the distinguishing Characteristic Trait.
Therefore, the answer to Are Bees insects? Is a direct affirmative.
According to the biological categorization, based on characteristic features of an organism, Bees are indeed insects belonging to the class Insecta.
These insects are widespread around the world. As pollinators, they are crucial to the ecology. Bees come in over 20,000 different species and inhabit a range of habitats.
That said, let us learn more about why bees are considered insects and if and how they are different from other insects such as wasps and little bugs.
Why Are Bees Considered Insects?
Insects are the most diversified biological group of animals on earth, with over 900,000 different species.
The characteristic features of an insect can be generally described as having a segmented body (into three parts: head, thorax, and abdomen), three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and one pair of antennae.
And since all these distinguishing characteristics are specified in the Bee, they are recognized as insects.
Is Bee a bug?
Interestingly, bees are not considered to be true bugs even though they share a lot of the same physical characteristics. Insects that are true bugs belong to the Order Hemiptera, while honey bees are in the order Hymenoptera.
This is because hemipterans have piercing and sucking mouthparts while hymenopterans have chewing mouthparts.
Another prominent differentiating characteristic involves the classification of bugs as classified members of the insect order Hemiptera, which means “half wing,” and alludes to the fact that the initial pair of wings of bugs have a toughened and hardened portion.
This anatomy is not observed in Bees.
Furthermore, Ants, sawflies, and wasps share the same insect classification as bees.
Is a bee a type of fly?
Though they may look like flies, bees are entirely different from these insets. This differentiation is contributed largely by anatomical differences and thus the placement in different biological order.
That said, while bees are members of Hymenoptera, Diptera is the order of insects, including flies and mosquitoes.
Additionally, Bees have different mouth parts. Their mouth parts are for piercing or sucking, While in the case of Flies, a proboscis, which is a long tube that they use to drink nectar from flowers, is found.
Are Bees wasps?
Bees and wasps are both flying insects, and they both have a stinger. Furthermore, they both share the common order Hymenoptera. However, they are not the same; their physical characteristics can easily distinguish them.
Confused? Well, check out the basic difference between these two close relatives in the next section!
The basic difference between bees and wasps
There are a number of differences between Bees and wasps, right from the morphological characteristics to the mode of feeding.
To begin with, anatomically, bees are typically round and coarse. In contrast, wasps have a more slender build and smooth exoskeleton and are generally less hairy.
Another key feature that distinguishes bees from wasps is the hair on their bodies. Bees possess a number of branched or feathered hairs to which pollen often clings. This helps them spread pollen as they move from flower to flower.
Besides that, other biological differences between bees and wasps include feeding habits. For instance, the fuzzy bees provide their young with a mixture of pollen and honey. On the other hand, wasps feed their young insects or spiders!
Bee Sting: How does it Appear and Feels?
Bees are the category of insect that has a stinger.
In fact, all the members of the order Hymenoptera such as Honeybees, wasps, hornets, fire ants, and yellow jackets, are capable of stinging. However, all of these insects are typically known to sting when they feel threatened or when their nest is in danger.
When threatened, they sting, releasing venom into the skin.
As for the person stung by a bee, they will develop a red bump around the sting. Except for the fire ant’s sting, which turns into an itchy blister, the surrounding skin will be white.
What Should You Do?
In case of a sting, the first thing you should do is remove the stinger. You can do this by scraping it out with your fingernail. After removing the stinger, follow these steps:
– Apply ice to the area to reduce swelling
– Take an antihistamine to help relieve itching and swelling
– Apply a topical cream or lotion to help soothe the area
Furthermore, some people can be allergic to insect stings.
Hives (which are itchy), red spots of skin, nausea, dizziness, a tight feeling in the throat, and breathing difficulties are all indications of an allergic reaction.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult a doctor immediately.
Control
Insecticide sprays should not be used to control bees. Spraying insecticides can kill bees, as well as other beneficial insects. There are several ways to control bees without using harmful chemicals.
However, contacting a professional pest management company is the best way to control bees. They will be able to assess the situation and provide a solution that will take care of the problem quickly and safely.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide was helpful in assisting you with all you need about be Bees, their place in the animal kingdom, as well as with other close members of the Insect family!