Although bees and wasps (including hornets and paper wasps) both belong to the order Hymenoptera, they have clear differences in appearance, habits, and aggressiveness.
Bees are more robust and hairy, feed on nectar and pollen, and are important pollinators.
A bee's stinger has barbs; after stinging, the stinger and venom sac remain in the skin, continuing to inject venom — the bee itself dies after stinging.
Wasps have smooth bodies with little hair, a narrower waist, and feed on other insects, spiders, and carrion (adults also feed on nectar).
A wasp's stinger is not barbed and can sting repeatedly many times.
In terms of aggressiveness, bees generally do not attack unless the nest is seriously threatened or they are physically grabbed; wasps are most aggressive in late summer (August–September) when the colony reaches its peak size — this is when food competition intensifies and workers are more easily provoked.
If you are unsure whether it is a bee or a wasp, observe from a distance: bees are typically rounder, fuzzier, and fly slower; wasps are more slender, smoother, fly more nimbly, and have a very narrow waist.
If stung by either, the treatment approach is the same — cold compress, oral antihistamines for itching relief, and seek medical attention immediately if an allergic reaction occurs.