Wasps

Wasps are insects in the order Hymenoptera, a diverse group that includes about 30,000 described species. They range from solitary hunters to highly social colonies. Broadly, wasps can be divided into social species, such as paper wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets, and solitary species, including mud daubers, potter wasps, and many parasitoids.

Physical characteristics commonly include a slender waist (the petiole) between the thorax and abdomen, two pairs of wings, and often bright or contrasting coloration. Many species are generalist predators or scavengers, and adults usually feed on nectar or fruit, while larvae are fed a diet of captured prey or paralyzed hosts.

Nesting and life cycle vary by group. Social wasps build nests that may be open and umbrella-shaped (e.g., paper wasps) or enclosed and sometimes subterranean (e.g., some yellowjackets and hornets). Nests are made from a papery material produced by chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva. Solitary wasps construct individual nests in hollow stems, cavities, mud, or other structures. Wasps undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. In temperate species, new queens and males are produced in late summer; most workers die in winter, with some species surviving as overwintering queens.

Stings are a defining feature of many wasps, delivered by a modified ovipositor in females. Wasps can sting repeatedly and may be defensive when nests are disturbed. Certain individuals have strong allergic reactions to stings.

Ecologically, wasps contribute to pest control by preying on caterpillars and other insects and can also serve as pollinators. In human settings, they are often beneficial but can become nuisances or hazards when nests are close to activity areas.