NSW Department of Primary Industries

Bees and wasps

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Native and exotic species of wasps and bees

Differentiating native wasps and native bees from exotic species can sometimes be difficult. Some species will mimic other species and others appear similar to some of our native species.

Become more familiar with our natives by knowing where you might find them, their appearance and what you might find them doing. Understanding exotic wasp and bee species may help you recognise different features from our native species. Knowing key features like appearance and the size of the insects can help you determine if they need to be reported or not.

If you suspect you have found an exotic species then you must report it to the department:

  • Call the Exotic Plant Pest hotline on 1800 084 881
  • Submit an online form, OR
  • Email biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Include a photo of the insect as part of your report. Do not kill the insect in case it is a native.

ThumbnailTitleAction required
A pinned specimen of a teddy bear bee Teddy bear bee
 No action required
A wasp with orange wings, legs and bottom, a black body, with a greyish spider Spider wasp
 No action required
Side view of a potter wasp resting on a rock Potter wasps
 No action required
A specimen of a great carpenter bee showing yellow thorax, black body and black wings Great carpenter bee
 No action required
A giant honey bee collecting pollen from a small pink flower Giant honey bee
 Report if found
Lateral view of European wasp resting on a green leaf European wasp
 No action required
European hornet on the ground next to a squashed piece of fruit with juice leaking on to the ground European hornet
 Report if found
European honey bee resting on wood European honeybee
 No action required
A specimen of a bumblebee showing very hairy body with yellow and black banding European bumblebee
 Report if found
A dwarf honey bee collecting pollen from a small purple flower Dwarf honey bee
 Report if found
Blue banded bee resting on a small twig Blue banded bee
 No action required
Brown wasp with yellow markings on a brown branch Australian paper wasps
 No action required
Asian hornet collecting pollen from small white flowers Asian Hornet
 Report if found
Asian honey bee gathering pollen from small flower Asian honey bee
 Report if found
Asian giant hornet being held by a persons fingers, showing the size is comparable to half a human finger Asian giant hornet
 Report if found
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au