There are several animals that display black and yellow coloration. However, when most people think of a black and yellow animal, one species typically comes to mind – the honey bee. Honey bees are very well known for their distinct black and yellow striped bodies.
Honey Bees
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are flying insects that live in large colonies with one queen bee, many female worker bees, and some male drones. Honey bees are found living in wild and managed hives on every continent except Antarctica. There are over 20,000 known species of bees in the world, but the most common domesticated honey bee is the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera).
Honey bees have cylindrical, segmented bodies covered in hair-like setae. Their bodies are divided into three sections: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Honey bees have two large compound eyes, three simple eyes, two pairs of wings, six legs, and antennae on their heads. The most recognizable feature of honey bees is their color pattern.
Honey bees have brown and black stripes across their abdomen, alternating with bands of yellow. The pattern and width of stripes vary between individuals. Their thorax is primarily black or brown. Honey bees’ heads are mostly black, with yellow markings on their faces. The yellow and black stripes create an aposematic coloration pattern that predators associate with danger or toxicity, warning them not to eat the bees.
Why Are Honey Bees Black and Yellow?
Honey bees’ black and yellow striped bodies serve several important functions:
- Aposematism – The contrasting bright stripes are a warning coloration that advertises the bees’ ability to sting predators that disturb the colony.
- Thermoregulation – The variation between dark and light bands helps bees regulate body temperature in the cold or heat.
- Colony identification – The specific pattern helps bees recognize nestmates from other nearby colonies.
- Predator confusion – The stripes create a distortion effect that makes it difficult for predators to target individual bees.
Additionally, the different banding patterns and widths may help bees with tasks inside the colony. Younger worker bees tend to have narrower stripes than older foragers. Research indicates the stripes may aid in communication among nestmates.
Other Black and Yellow Animals
While honey bees are the most iconic black and yellow-striped animal, there are several other species with similar aposematic coloration:
Wasps
Wasps in the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula, such as yellowjackets and hornets, display distinct black and pale yellow stripes. They serve the same warning purpose as honey bees.
Yellowjacket hoverfly
The yellowjacket hoverfly (Milesia crabroniformis) is a flying insect with black stripes on a yellow abdomen. It mimics the appearance of stinging wasps and bees as a form of Batesian mimicry.
Bumblebees
Some bumblebee species, like the brown-belted bumblebee (Bombus griseocollis) have a mostly black body with a yellow thorax and head.
Africanized bees
Africanized honey bees, also called “killer bees,” have a more erratic black and yellow striping pattern compared to European honey bees.
Tiger beetles
Tiger beetles from the genera Cicindela and Tetracha are predatory insects with metallic green, blue, or black wings and yellow stripes on their bodies.
Yellowjacket spiders
Yellowjacket spiders (Argiope bruennichi) have black bodies with bold yellow and white markings. They have yellow and black striped legs.
Yellow-necked caterpillar
The larvae of the yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra) are hairy and black, with longitudinal yellow stripes and red spots.
Monarch butterfly caterpillar
Monarch butterfly caterpillars have black, white, and yellow stripes lengthwise across their bodies. Adults have orange wings.
| Animal | Scientific Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Honey bee | Apis mellifera | Yellow and black or brown striped abdomen |
| Yellowjacket wasp | Vespula species | Black and yellow stripes |
| Yellowjacket hoverfly | Milesia crabroniformis | Fly mimics yellowjacket; black stripes on yellow |
| Brown-belted bumblebee | Bombus griseocollis | Black body, yellow thorax and head |
| Africanized honey bee | Apis mellifera scutellata | Erratic black and yellow stripes |
| Tiger beetle | Cicindela and Tetracha genera | Metallic green/blue wings, yellow striped body |
| Yellowjacket spider | Argiope bruennichi | Black body, yellow and white markings |
| Yellow-necked caterpillar | Datana ministra | Long black body with yellow stripes |
| Monarch caterpillar | Danaus plexippus | Black, yellow, and white stripes |
Conclusion
While there are a number of black and yellow striped insects, spiders, and larvae in nature, the honey bee remains the quintessential example of an animal with bold aposematic black and yellow coloration. Honey bees’ distinctive body pattern makes them instantly recognizable all around the world. The black and yellow stripes warn predators to avoid them, help them regulate temperature, and allow bees to identify nestmates. No other animal is quite so universally symbolic of black and yellow stripes as the busy, buzzing honey bee collecting pollen and nectar.
