Tuesday's Quiz: Wasps and Bees

Today's quiz poses questions that will lead to better identification of wasps and bees. How are they different? How do they impact residents of San Diego? Take the quiz and see how much you know about the local buzz.

1. Which of the following statements is true:

a. All bees are yellowjackets.

b. All yellowjackets are wasps.

c. All wasps are yellowjackets.

d. All yellowjackets are bees.

2. Paper wasps make their nests

a. in paper

b. in trees

c. in abandoned rodent burrows

d. under the eaves of houses

3. Honey bees are attracted to

a. flowers

b. meat

c. other insects

d. all of the above

4. Yellowjackets are attracted to

a. soda cans

b. meat

c. other insects

d. all of the above

5. Only female bees and wasps can inflict stings because

a. the stinger is a modified egg-laying apparatus

b. male bees are not allowed outside the hive

c. female bees are more aggressive

d. the stinger usually remains in the skin, and female bees are expendable

6. The insect pictured above is a

a. yellowjacket

b.  bee

c.  wasp

d.  hornet

7. Although bees and wasps share many qualities, they can be distinguished by

a. the wasp's narrow waist

b. the bee's thickened hairs

c. the distinct marks and coloration of each insect

d. all of the above

8. Although wasps do not pollinate nor make honey, they are important because

a. parasitic wasps are used in agricultural pest control

b. social wasps supply food for other insects

c. wasps are used in research for drug studies

d. all of the above