How do you tell bees and other insects apart?

Like all insects, bees have three body segments and six legs. They also have four wings in two pairs. Bees, ants, and wasps (order Hymenoptera) all have a narrow waist between the thorax and abdomen, and a stinger. The stinger evolved from a structure used to lay eggs, so only females can sting.

Wasps and ants usually have a smooth and shiny exoskeleton. Bees have hairy bodies and legs that collect pollen.