Staphylococcus differs from streptococcus by

Staphylococcus is catalase positive, unlike streptococci which are catalase negative. Catalase test: positive test indicates production of catalase. Place a loopful of hydrogen peroxide on colonies on the nutrient agar. Prompt effervescence indicates catalase production. Ref: Textbook of Microbiology; Ananthanarayanan and Panicker; 10th Edition: pg;207