What are Wasps?
Belonging to the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita, wasps are a diverse group of insects known for their stinging ability. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the large, solitary cicada killer wasp to the smaller, social yellowjackets and hornets living in large colonies.
Wasps play a crucial role in the ecosystem. As predators, they help to control pest populations by preying on insects like caterpillars and spiders. Some wasps also act as pollinators, transferring pollen from one flower to another, helping plants to reproduce. Unlike bees, which can sting only once, most wasps can sting multiple times. This is because their stingers are not barbed and do not get stuck in the skin of their prey or attacker. However, not all wasps are aggressors. Many species are docile unless provoked.
In terms of their life cycle, wasps undergo complete metamorphosis. This means they transition from egg to larva, pupa, and finally into adults. The length and specifics of this process can vary widely among different wasp species.
Social Wasps
These wasps live in colonies, similar to bees. They build nests and have a caste system that includes workers, drones, and a queen. The workers are sterile females who build the nest, forage for food, and care for the young. The queen is the only wasp that lays eggs. Some common types of social wasps include:
- Yellowjackets: Known for their distinctive yellow and black bodies and aggressive nature when their nests are threatened.
- Hornets: Larger than most wasps, they are known for their aerial nest-building skills and powerful stings.
- Paper Wasps: Named for their paper-like nests, they are generally less aggressive unless disturbed.
Solitary Wasps
As the name suggests, these wasps prefer to live alone rather than in colonies. Each female wasp is fertile and lays her eggs. Some types of solitary wasps include:
- Mud Daubers: Recognizable by their long, slender bodies, these wasps construct nests out of mud.
- Cicada Killers: These large wasps paralyze cicadas with their sting and bury them with their eggs so the emerging larvae have a fresh meal.
- Potter Wasps: Known for their pot-shaped mud nests, they often capture and paralyze caterpillars to feed their larvae.
