Honeybees are often mistaken for other stinging insects. This page will help you distinguish honeybees from other insects.

​

As opposed to some other stinging insects, honeybees are very gentle and will rarely sting when unprovoked. Honeybees sting to protect their brood (unborn baby bees). When you find a honeybee flying around or on a flower, it has no reason to sting. If a honeybee is flying around you or lands on you, don't swat at it. Simply stay still until it realizes you're not a flower and flys away.

​

Honeybees vs. Other Insects

• Honeybees have hairy bodies with black and gold stripes.

• Yellowjackets are usually smaller with brighter yellow stripes than honeybees.

• Bumblebees also have hairy bodies but are bigger than honeybees and are more yellow than gold

 

Check out "Non-Honey Bee Stinging Insects in North Carolina" by NC State Extension to learn more about the different types of stinging insects in North Carolina.