The Infinite Monkey Cage

Bees v Wasps

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Jul 8, 2023
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ANECDOTE

Sucking Up Bees Went Wrong

  • Dave Goulson accidentally inhaled a bumblebee using a homemade suction device and got stung inside his lip.
  • He spent the day unable to eat and being teased by students, illustrating fieldwork mishaps can be embarrassing and painful.
ANECDOTE

A Wasps Sting In Panama

  • Seirian Sumner described being stung on the eyebrow by paper wasps in Panama and swelling dramatically.
  • The sting left her with a temporarily grotesque face, emphasising real risk even to experienced researchers.
INSIGHT

Bees Are Evolved Wasps

  • Bees evolved from wasps and appeared about 120 million years ago, while wasps are much older.
  • That evolutionary relationship explains why bees and wasps share many traits, and why wasps have far greater species diversity.
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