Bees and wasps, both insects of the order Hymenoptera, are commonly encountered and characterized by their ability to sting. Although they share a distant ancestry, their relationship is not always peaceful. Observing their natural interactions confirms that significant conflict occurs. This conflict is driven by fundamental differences in their life histories, often manifesting as predation and resource competition.
Biological Differences That Drive Conflict
The differing diets of bees and wasps establish a predator-prey dynamic, setting the stage for aggressive encounters. Bees are primarily vegetarian, relying on nectar for carbohydrates and pollen for protein to feed their young. In contrast, many species of social wasps, such as yellowjackets and hornets, are omnivores that require a protein source, often other insects, to nourish their developing larvae. This need for protein makes the dense, protein-rich colony of a bee hive an appealing target for a foraging wasp.
Differences in their stinging anatomy also influence the nature of their conflicts. Honeybees possess a barbed stinger that lodges in thick skin, tearing away from the bee’s abdomen and causing death after a single sting. Wasps, however, are equipped with a smooth, retractable stinger. This allows them to sting multiple times without fatal self-injury, giving them a significant advantage in predatory encounters. The sheer density of a social bee colony presents a massive, concentrated food source that attracts predatory wasps, especially in late summer when wasp colonies reach their peak size.
Wasps as Predators of Bees
Predation represents the most direct and lethal form of fighting between the two insects, with wasps actively hunting bees and raiding their nests. This behavior is widespread among various species of the Vespa genus, including yellowjackets and hornets. The predatory motivation is the necessity of acquiring protein to feed the next generation of wasps.
The attack strategy often begins with a single wasp scouting the bee colony, focusing on the hive entrance or on individual foraging bees away from the nest. When a wasp successfully captures a bee, it quickly dismembers the victim, often biting off the head and abdomen. It then rolls the thorax into a manageable ball to transport the protein back to its nest. This sustained predatory pressure can significantly weaken a bee colony, particularly late in the season when wasp numbers are high.
In more devastating attacks, several wasps may launch a coordinated assault, overwhelming the guard bees at the entrance and entering the hive to steal the brood—the larvae and pupae—which are highly concentrated sources of protein. If the predatory pressure is not checked, a prolonged attack can lead to the collapse of the bee colony. This occurs as workers become too fearful to forage, ultimately resulting in starvation.
How Bees Defend Against Wasp Attacks
Bee colonies have evolved complex defensive behaviors to counter the threat of wasp predation. The first line of defense involves guard bees positioned at the hive entrance, which actively monitor and challenge approaching wasps. Colonies with a higher number of guard bees, averaging around six individuals, have been observed to more effectively resist attacks from predatory wasps.
When a wasp breaches the initial defenses, some honeybee species employ a collective counter-attack known as “thermal balling.” This defense involves hundreds of worker bees immediately swarming the invading wasp, forming a tight, vibrating ball around the predator. By rapidly vibrating their flight muscles, the bees collectively increase the internal temperature of the ball.
This thermal attack is calibrated to kill the wasp without harming the bees. The lethal temperature for many wasps, such as the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), is approximately 114 degrees Fahrenheit. The bees, which can tolerate temperatures up to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, generate a temperature increase sufficient to cook the wasp to death. While effective, participation in this defense comes at a cost, as bees involved in the thermal balling process often experience a shortened lifespan, highlighting the sacrifice required for the survival of the colony.