Bees are such iconic insects that it’s no wonder other creepy-crawlies try to copy their look. With bright stripes and fuzzy bodies, bees are instantly recognizable. This distinct appearance warns predators that they can deliver a nasty sting. But not all striped insects packing a punch are actually bees. Some tricky spiders and insects have evolved bee-like markings to fool predators into leaving them alone. Read on to uncover the imposters in the bee world.
Wasp Spiders – Stripy Leggy Lookalikes
The wasp spider is a cunning copycat found in grasslands across the UK. With its yellow and black stripes, it’s almost identical to a small wasp or bee. This is no coincidence – the striking pattern acts as a warning to predators that it packs a sting. Of course, the wasp spider is completely harmless. But the disguise gives it a huge survival advantage. These spiders reach up to 2cm long and build huge webs with zig-zag patterns down the middle. The females are larger and more brightly colored than the males. They can be spotted prowling through long grasses from April to October. If you want to get up close to a wasp spider, places like nature reserves, farmland and heathland are your best bet.
Hoverflies – Harmless Hairy Hoaxers
Hoverflies are the most common bee mimics out there. There are over 270 species buzzing around the UK. Many look uncannily like certain species of bee. For example, the drone fly is a dead ringer for a honey bee, complete with a furry yellow-and-brown-striped abdomen. Some hoverflies have even evolved a shaggy appearance to match bumblebees. Just check out the bumblebee hoverfly with its ginger fuzz and bold black markings. You’d easily mistake it for the real deal at first glance. But there are a few failings in their bee disguise on closer inspection. Hoverflies only have one pair of wings while bees have two. They also have much shorter antennae and large eyes that cover most of their head. But they do provide valuable pollination services just like bees. So it’s handy to have these doppelgangers around.
Bee Flies – Long-Tongued Imposters
Bee flies are determined tricksters that also mimic the look of fuzzy bumblebees. They are mostly brown or black with pale-yellow hairs, but some have bumblebee-style bands across their abdomen. You can easily separate them from bees by their permanently outstretched long tongue or proboscis. Bee flies also have a skinny waist and long spindly legs unlike the robust body of a bee. Don’t be fooled by their appearance – bee flies have a sinister side. They flick their eggs into the burrows of solitary mining bees. Once hatched, the bee fly larvae gobble up the pollen stores of bee larvae.
Parasitic Flies – Deceptive Drones
Big bristly flies like tachinids could definitely pass as black bumblebees at a glance. The yellow-sided tachina fera looks surprisingly bee-like. But parasitic flies give the game away in various ways. They only have one pair of wings compared to bees’ two sets. Their bulbous eyes also cover most of the head. And they lack the narrow waists, biting mouthparts and long antennae of bees. As adults the flies feed on nectar and act as pollinators. But true to their name, they lay eggs that hatch into gruesome larvae that devour other insects alive.
Sneaky Spider Tips and Tricks
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Check for legs – bees have six but spiders have eight creepy crawlers
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See if stripes cover the legs too. Many bee mimics have leg stripes
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Watch out for large reflective eyes covering the head which spiders have but bees don’t.
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Spot the fangs. Bee mimics never have the biting mouthparts of true bees.
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Observe flight patterns – bees seem more regular while spiders and flies hover jerkily.
Nature’s Clever Disguises
It’s astonishing how many insects and arachnids have evolved to imitate the look of bees. But it just shows how iconic bees are, with their familiar fuzzy stripes sending a clear ‘back off’ message. This mimicry allows other insects and spiders to tap into the recognition and fear bees spark in predators. And they get protection without the hard work of producing honey or pollen. Some mimics like hoverflies and parasitic wasps do provide valuable pollination too. So they aren’t all sinister imposters. Whatever their impact, it’s amazing to see how nature produces these uncanny bee replicas through complex evolutionary processes. With a bit of practice, you can tell who’s who in the busy bee world. Those sneaky spiders and insects can’t fool us for long!
Spider that looks like a bee #shorts
FAQ
Are spider wasps harmful to humans?
Are bumblebee spiders poisonous?
What is a spider bee?
Is there a wasp spider?
Which insect resembles a bee?
However, bee mimics such as wasps, hoverflies, bee flies, and beetles tend to have smooth bodies. In addition, while insects that resemble bees are generally pollinators, some flying insects, especially wasps, are more aggressive insects than bees. A honey bee (in the picture) is characterized by its furry body, 2 pairs of wings and long antenna
What insect looks like a bumblebee?
The bee beetle is another insect with coloration like a large bumblebee. The beetle looks like a bee because of its yellowish back with black markings. There are also fuzzy white hairs around the side of its abdomen and back. This “bug that looks like a bee” is active during the summer feeding on various flowers. Bee beetles are about 0.4” (1 cm).
What does a female wasp spider look like?
Mating is a dangerous game for males; they wait at the edge of the web until the female has moulted into a mature form, then take advantage of her jaws being soft and rush in to mate. However, many males still get eaten during this time. The female wasp spider has yellow, black and white stripes, just like a common wasp. Its legs are also stripy.
What flies look like bumblebees?
Others are relatives that have a pretty convincing family resemblance. Most bee-lookalikes are hoverflies. These harmless flies cannot sting. Some hoverflies resemble solitary bees or honeybees such as Drone flies. But watch out, there are also hairy species that mimic bumblebees.
What type of spider has orange legs?
The brown hunting spider has orangey-brown legs. It is classed as a semi-aquatic spider. The marbled orb-weaver is an unusual type of orange spider with a large bulbous abdomen. The orange spider has yellow, pale orange, and black marbling patterns on its back and around its abdomen.
What does an egg shaped Spider look like?
The egg-shaped orange or brown abdomen is also characterized by mottled white and brown patterns and striped brown and white spiny legs. Related articles: Common types of spiders, including house and garden spiders with pictures for easier identification.