Is this a wasp or bee?

Luckylow10

my son was badly stung ( 13 stings) last October in our back garden (new house, unaware of hives)

it’s only occurred to me now that we aren’t sure what stung him.

we assumed wasps, as per the picture. BUT I picked out so many stingers from his skin and I only know now that wasps don’t leave their stingers behind!

Is this unusual or are they actually bees?

BorneTobyWilde

Looks like a Queen Wasp, in a case of diapause , which is similar to hibernation . I've seen a few waking up this past few days .

Markcheese

Thats a wasp ..

did the stingers have a little sac at the end of them ? So when the bee pulls away from the sting and leaves it's stinger behind behind it also tears the venom sac and a little muscle off and leaves that behind , ultimately that's what does for the bee..

kal7

Looks like a wasp to me.

Markcheese correct about stinger sac in bees. Don't squeeze these as you ty to pull them out, and accidently push in venom.

Paul.kavanagh

Yes , thats looks to be a wasp , possible Queen as mentioned, i came across a few in the attic over the winter, not looking dead but sleeping.

Luckylow10

So some of the stingers were like small thorns with possibly sacs on top .. very odd though as the pest control lad said wasps don’t leave their stingers … anyhow my son was in awful state, but thankfully got over it quickly I’m just relieved he isn’t allergic!