The two are similar and are even part of the same order within the classification of insects, the Hymenoptera. However, they belong to different families: Apidae (bees) and Vespidae (wasps). Within each of these families, in turn, there are numerous species of bees (about 20,000) and wasps (between 5,000 and 10,000). Even with so much variety, there are some tricks to distinguish one from the other. The first tip is to look at the position of the wings when these insects are at rest. “The wings of wasps, which are also popularly known as wasps, are pointed upwards, unlike the wings of bees, which are horizontal”, says biologist Osmar Malaspina, from the São Paulo State University (Unesp), in Rio Claro ( SP). With regard to the pain caused by the sting, it will depend on the species. But there is little difference between being stung by a common bee and a house wasp. In the table beside, you can see other small differences between the two animals.
