The search for a “black and white bee” often leads to confusion because this visual description applies to several different insects, including both true bees and various wasps. People typically encounter a black and white insect with a painful sting and assume it is a bee, but in many cases, it belongs to a different family of stinging insects. This article clarifies the identity of the most commonly seen black and white flying insect and introduces actual bee species that fit this distinct coloration.
Identifying the Common Imposter
The insect most frequently mistaken for a black and white bee is the Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata). Despite its name, this insect is not a true hornet but a type of aerial yellowjacket belonging to the wasp family Vespidae. Its appearance is striking, featuring a body that is primarily black with extensive, contrasting ivory-white markings. The name “bald-faced” comes from the prominent white patch covering most of its face.
Physical features immediately differentiate this wasp from a true bee (family Apidae). The Bald-faced Hornet has a smooth, nearly hairless body, giving it a sleek appearance. It also possesses a very narrow connection between the thorax and the abdomen, often called a “wasp waist,” which is characteristic of the Vespidae family. Adult workers range from 12 to 14 millimeters in length, with the queen being slightly larger, up to 20 millimeters. True bees generally have a more robust, rounded body covered in dense, fuzzy hair that helps them collect pollen.
The insect’s bold coloring serves as a warning, indicating its ability to sting repeatedly, a behavior common among social wasps. These wasps are predatory, feeding on insects like flies and caterpillars to provision their young. They may occasionally visit flowers to sip nectar, which contributes to the confusion with bees.
Characteristics of True Black and White Bees
While the Bald-faced Hornet is the most common black and white insect, several true bee species also display a strong dark and light contrast. These bees are members of the superfamily Apoidea, many of which are solitary rather than living in large colonies. The Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) is a prime example, often seen early in the spring. Female Ashy Mining Bees have a shiny black abdomen and a distinct double band of light gray hairs across their thorax.
Another group featuring this coloration includes certain Leafcutter Bees, such as the Texas Leaf-Cutter Bee. This solitary species is native to North America and exhibits black and white stripes on its abdomen, with short, white hairs covering its head and thorax. Leafcutter bees carry pollen on specialized hairs located on the underside of their abdomen, a feature called a scopa. This mechanism contributes to their overall fuzzier appearance compared to smooth-bodied wasps.
The Pugnacious Leafcutter Bee is another example, characterized by its fuzzy, striped body that can appear black and white or yellow. These solitary bees construct individual nests in wood or in the ground, utilizing pieces of leaves to line their brood cells. Distinguishing these bees from the Bald-faced Hornet relies on observing their generally stout body shape and the presence of significant body hair. These bees are important pollinators, fulfilling a different ecological role than predatory wasps.
Nesting Habits and Behavior
The locations and structures of nests offer a clear way to differentiate the Bald-faced Hornet from true bees. The Hornet constructs a distinctive, large, gray, paper nest, often hanging from trees, bushes, or the eaves of buildings. These nests are made from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva and can grow to the size of a football or basketball by late summer. The hornets are fiercely defensive of this communal nest and will sting repeatedly if they perceive a threat.
In contrast, true black and white bees, such as Mining Bees and Leafcutter Bees, are solitary and do not build large communal structures. Mining Bees typically nest in the ground, creating simple, individual burrows in bare soil or short turf. Leafcutter Bees may utilize pre-existing tunnels in wood or hollow plant stems for their nests. These solitary habits mean they lack a large colony to defend, making them significantly more docile.
Solitary bees rarely sting unless physically handled or accidentally crushed. They are focused on provisioning their individual nests with pollen and nectar, exhibiting little of the territorial aggression displayed by social wasps. If a black and white insect is observed near a large, aerial paper nest, it is almost certainly the defensive Bald-faced Hornet. If the insect is seen entering a small hole in the ground or wood, it is likely a solitary, relatively harmless black and white bee.