Difference Between Bees and Bumblebees

Bees vs Bumblebees

Bees and bumblebees belong to the same family known as Apidae. It could be hard to make out a difference between the two as they have many things in common. Bumblebees is the generic term that refers to all bees in Bombus genes.

One of the main differences that can be noticed is in the size between bees and bumblebees. Generally, the bumblebees are larger than the normal bees. In contrast to the bees, the bumblebees have round and furry bodies. Another thing that can be noticed in bumblebees is that they have short and soft hair on the body, which makes them feel a little fuzzy.

In case of stings, the bumble bees do not lose the sting and die after they use it as in the case of the bees. Unlike the sting of bees, the sting of a bumblebee lacks barbs, which means that these bees can sting more than once.

When talking of aggressiveness, the bees are known to be more aggressive than the bumblebees. The bumblebees tend to be slow and gentle.

In comparing the hives, both the bumblebees and bees live in communities. The difference is that the colony of bumblebees is smaller when compared to that of the normal bees.

Most of the bees are black in colour. On the other hand, the bumblebees come in black and yellow shades. Some bumblebee species also come with strains of red or orange.

Both the bumblebees and the bees feed on the nectar and they both produce honey. However, the bumblebees produce only a small quantity of honey when compared to that of the bees.

Bumblebees are widely cultured for agricultural purpose as they are good pollinators. On the other hand, bees are cultivated for honey.

Summary
The bumblebees are larger than the normal bees.
In contrast to the bees, the bumblebees have round and furry bodies.
Unlike the sting of bees, the sting of a bumblebee lacks barbs, which means that these bees can sting more than once.
The bees are known to be more aggressive than the bumblebees. The bumblebees tend to be slow and gentle.
The colony of bumblebees is smaller when compared to that of the normal bees.
Bumblebees are widely cultured for agricultural purpose as they are good pollinators. On the other hand, bees are cultivated for honey.
Most of the bees are black in colour. On the other hand, the bumblebees come in black and yellow shades.

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