Guêpes

Guêpes, commonly known as wasps, are flying insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera. They are distinct from bees, though they share a common ancestry. Wasps exhibit a wide range of sizes, colors, and behaviors, with over 75,000 known species. Many wasps are predators, feeding on other insects, which makes them beneficial in controlling pest populations. Others are parasitic, laying their eggs on or inside other insects, which are then consumed by the developing wasp larvae.

Social wasps, such as yellowjackets and hornets, live in colonies with a queen, workers, and males. They build nests, often from chewed wood pulp mixed with saliva, in various locations including underground, in trees, or under eaves. Solitary wasps, on the other hand, live independent lives, with each female constructing her own nest and provisioning it with food for her offspring.

While often perceived as aggressive, wasps typically sting only when they feel threatened or their nest is disturbed. Their stinger is smooth and can be used multiple times, unlike the barbed stinger of many bees. Wasp venom can cause pain, swelling, and itching. For individuals with allergies, a wasp sting can trigger a severe anaphylactic reaction. Wasps play a crucial role in ecosystems as both predators and pollinators, although their pollination activities are generally less significant than those of bees.