Do you know the difference between bees and flies? Many people don’t, and they are often confused by the two. This blog post will clear up any confusion and teach you the differences between these two insects.
What are Bees?
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their role in pollination and, in the case of the best-known bee species, the European honey bee, for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea and are presently considered a clade, called Anthophila. There are nearly 20,000 known species of bees in seven to nine recognized families, though many are undescribed and the actual number is probably higher.
They occur on every continent except Antarctica, in every habitat on the planet that contains insect-pollinated flowering plants. Bees pollinate crops and native plants, providing both food and income for humans. Bees also produce wax used in art and industry; honey that is consumed by humans; royal jelly and propolis used as medicines; and pollen that is used as a protein supplement around the world. Bees have been harvested by humans since ancient times for their wax production.
What are Flies?
- Flies are a type of insect that is classified under the order Diptera. There are an estimated 150,000 different species of flies that can be found all over the world. Flies are known for their unique flying abilities as well as their small size. Flies typically have two wings, unlike other insects who have four. The front pair of wings on a fly has been modified and turned into small, hairy structures called halteres.
- Halteres help flies to keep balance while in flight. Flies generally have short lifespans and go through four distinct stages during their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Flies are attracted to food sources that contain decaying organic matter, which is why they are often seen near garbage cans or compost bins. Flies can be a nuisance to humans as they are attracted to the same food sources that we enjoy.
- Flies can also spread diseases by contaminating food with bacteria from their bodies or from surfaces they have landed on. To avoid attracting flies, it is important to keep food covered and clean up any spills immediately.
Difference between Bees and Flies
Bees and flies may seem like similar insects, but there are actually a few key differences between them. For one, bees are covered in hair, while flies have very few hairs on their bodies. Bees also have two pairs of wings, while flies only have one pair. Another difference is that bees are able to sting, while flies cannot. Finally, bees are attracted to flowers, while flies are attracted to decaying matter.
These distinctions may seem small, but they help to ensure that bees and flies play different roles in the ecosystem. Bees pollinate flowers and help to produce honey, while flies help to decompose dead matter and recycle nutrients back into the soil. In short, bees and flies may look alike at first glance, but they are actually quite different creatures.
Conclusion
The difference between bees and flies is that bees gather pollen while flies feed on decaying matter. Flies are also known to transmit diseases, whereas bees do not. Although they may seem similar, it’s important to be able to differentiate these two types of insects in order to identify an infestation and take the necessary steps to get rid of them.