What are Wasps?

Wasps are any animal in order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is neither a bee nor ant. There are over 200,000 species, making wasps one of the most diverse groups of insects. The most familiar types are the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), yellowjackets (members of genera Vespula and Dolichovespula), and the European hornet (Vespa crabro). These animals are generally categorized at the highest level by whether they are social or solitary. The group probably evolved in the Triassic Period, about 225 million years ago.

Like all other insects, wasps are invertebrate arthropods that reproduce using a larval stage. They have two pairs of wings used for flight. Females have a stinger, which evolved from a female sex organ called an ovipositor, thus being absent in males. Most wasp stings are painful and unpleasant, described by the entomologist Justin O. Schmidt as "like a matchhead that flips off and burns on your skin." A few rare species, like the Asian giant hornet, can produce stings so toxic that they can kill. The sting of the Asian giant hornet was described by one Japanese entomologist, Masato Ono, as being "like a hot nail being driven into my leg." Unlike bees, wasps lack barbs on their stingers, meaning they can sting repeatedly.

Both wasp adults and larvae are the leading parasites in the insect world, and there is a wasp parasite for practically every pest insect, making them very useful for pest control. The larvae are parasitoid, meaning they are parasites during the larval stage. About 10-20% of insects are parasites, but wasps make up the majority by far. Some are parasitic in their adult forms as well, but these tend to be small, 1/100 to 3/4 of an inch long. As a result, they mostly tend to go unnoticed by humans, though they kill many pest insects.

Wasps that aren't parasitic build nests. This includes both predatory asocial and social wasps. Both types build nests out of paper created by chewing wood pulp and mixing it with saliva. They choose sheltered areas such as attics or holes in the ground, with direct access to the outdoors a must. The nests have little cells for laying eggs in. Asocial wasps lay the eggs and leave them, while the social type continue interactions as the eggs turn into larvae and then adults.

Wasps are insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera and the suborder Apocrita, which is not comprised of ants and bees. Unlike bees, which have barbed stingers and typically die after one sting, wasps have smooth stingers, allowing them to sting multiple times. Wasps are also generally more aggressive and less hairy than bees, which affects their pollination abilities.

There are over 30,000 identified species of wasps worldwide. They come in various shapes and sizes, from the common yellow jacket to the large tarantula hawk wasp. This diversity allows wasps to occupy many ecological niches, acting as predators or parasitoids to other insects, which helps control pest populations.

Wasps have diverse diets. Adult wasps primarily feed on nectar, making them occasional pollinators. However, they are also predators and scavengers, feeding on insects, spiders, and carrion. Some species, like yellow jackets, are attracted to human foods, especially sweets and proteins, which is why they are common uninvited guests at outdoor activities.

Many, but not all, wasps build nests. Social wasps, like yellow jackets and hornets, construct nests using a paper-like substance made from chewed wood fibers mixed with their saliva. These nests can be found in various locations, from underground burrows to the eaves of buildings. Solitary wasps typically do not build nests but may burrow in soil or use existing cavities.

Yes, wasps are highly beneficial to the environment. They play a crucial role in natural pest control by preying on many insects that are harmful to crops and gardens. According to studies, wasps can significantly reduce the population of crop-damaging pests, providing a natural form of pest management. Additionally, their role in pollination, though less significant than bees, still contributes to plant diversity and productivity.

To safely manage wasps near your home, it's important to avoid attracting them by covering food during outdoor events, securing garbage bins, and removing potential nesting sites. If you find a nest, it's best to contact a professional pest control service, especially for large or inaccessible nests, to remove it safely. Preventative measures and professional removal help minimize the risk of stings and infestations.