What Are The Types Of Wasps?

Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support!

There are many types of wasps, and each one is unique in its own way. Some wasps are aggressive and will sting you if they feel threatened, while others are more docile and will only sting if they feel threatened or attacked.  Some wasps build nests while others scavenge for food. And lastly, some wasps are solitary while others live in colonies.

What are the types of wasps?

There are many different types of wasps, and each goes through different stages of development. Each type of wasp has a unique appearance at each stage.

Generally, the adult stage is the most variable in appearance and color. This is due to the fact that the adults have different roles to play- such as nest building, foraging for food, and caring for the young.

What are the types of Wasps

There are many types of wasps, but they can be broadly classified into three categories: social wasps, parasitic wasps, and solitary wasps.

Social wasps live in colonies that can have a few hundred or even thousands of individuals. Solitary wasps live alone and build their nests out of mud, plant fibers, or chewed-up wood.

Let us now learn about these types in detail.

Solitary Wasps

Solitary wasps are wasps that do not form colonies and instead work on their own. They can be identified by their lack of social behavior as well as their smaller size. Solitary wasps typically have one generation per year and build their nests out of mud, saliva, or chewed-up wood.

The female wasp constructs the nest, captures prey, lays an egg, and seals the prey in a cell. She then repeats this process until the nest is full.

After hatching, their offspring feed on the prey until becoming adults. Solitary wasps can be helpful in controlling pests and are not typically aggressive unless provoked.

Social Wasps

Social wasps are a type of wasp that live in colonies. They are different from other types of wasps because they establish their colonies annually and die off in the fall. This means that every year, a new group of social wasps will be born, and the old colony will die.

This type of wasp builds its nests out of chewed wood mixed with saliva. They are distinguishable from other types of wasps by their long, thin bodies and the fact that they live in colonies. Social wasps can be harmful to humans, as they can sting repeatedly.

There are two types of social wasps- those that live above ground and those that live below ground. Social wasps are communal in nature, meaning that they live and work together in groups. They can be either helpful or harmful to humans, depending on the species.

The colonies are typically composed of 50 to 100 females and their offspring. These wasps have worker categories who serve as the colony’s reproductive workers. They tend to brood and care for the young.

Parasitic Wasps

Parasitic wasps are a type of wasp that helps to control pest insects. They are beneficial as they prey on a wide variety of pests, including caterpillars, beetle larvae, and other types of insects. This makes them an important part of the ecosystem.

Unlike other types of wasps, they sting only when handled and produce very little pain.

They are typically smaller than other types of wasps and live off of the nectar from flowers.

All Different Wasp Breeds

stinging pine

Let’s take a look at the primary species of wasps you should be aware of. If you have wasps in your yard, there’s a good probability they’re one of the species or breeds listed below.

Yellow Jackets

Yellow jackets have bright yellow and black markings on their bodies and are found in North America.

They are a type of wasp that are mostly the same size as regular bees. They have a yellow and black pattern on their body, and they are less hairy than other types of wasps. Yellow jackets can be found in many different parts of the world.

Northern Paper Wasps

Northern paper wasps are a type of wasp that is found in North America. They are known for their black and yellow coloring, as well as their habit of building nests out of paper. These wasps are relatively docile and will not sting unless they feel threatened.

These wasps get their name from the nests they build, which are made of a papery material created by mixing the regurgitated wood pulp with saliva.

They are one of the most common types of wasp in North America and can be identified by their black and yellow markings.

Northern Paper Wasps are a type of wasp that is easily identifiable by their long legs. They are different from bees and yellow jackets, which can be confused with them easily. Northern Paper Wasps are typically black or brown in color and build their nests out of paper.

Mud Dauber

Mud Dauber is a solitary wasp that lives in North America. They are known for their unique mud nests.

These wasps take their name from the fact that they dwell in the mud where they dig nests. They are generally not aggressive and will only sting if provoked.

Mud daubers are a category of wasp that build their nests out of the mud. They can be found under eaves and porch ceilings as well as in garages, barns, or sheds. Mud dauber nests are cylindrical in shape and tend to be grey or black in color.

European Hornet

European hornets are the largest wasps in North America. They can be up to 2 inches long and have a very intimidating appearance. They are brown or black with yellow markings on their head, thorax, and abdomen.

They build large nests made of paper that can contain up to 3000 individual wasps.

They are not aggressive unless threatened and will usually only sting humans if they feel like they or their nest is in danger.

Bald-faced Hornet

Bald-faced hornets are black and white and have stout bodies. They derive their name from the fact that they have mostly bald faces. They build large nests made of paper.

They have black and white coloring that makes them easily identifiable. They will repeatedly sting if they feel their nest is in danger, so it is important to stay away from them.

Bald-faced hornet nests can be attached to lower branches or trees or bushes, as well as hanging from a building’s eaves.

Blue-winged Wasp

Blue-winged wasps are a type of wasp that is used as a pest control agent. They are effective at controlling populations of other insects, such as flies and caterpillars.

They have blue-black wings and orange abdomens. They are predatory wasps and feed on other insects, including caterpillars.

They are about an inch long, and their wings are transparent with a blue sheen.

Thread Waisted Wasp

Thread Waisted Wasps are a type of wasp that is known for their long thin waist. They can be identified by their black and yellow stripes, and they build their nests in trees or under eaves.

These wasps are generally considered to be harmless, but they can become aggressive if they feel threatened. They are predators and feed on other insects.

They are generally not aggressive and will only sting humans if they feel threatened. Despite this, they can still be dangerous as their stings can be very painful. These wasps are important for the ecosystem as they help to control the population of other insects.

Cow Killer Wasp

The Eastern Velvet Ant is a parasitic wasp that lays its eggs in the nests of bumblebees. The eggs hatch, and the larvae feed on the bumblebee larva.

The cow killer wasp is a species of wasp that is known for its powerful sting. The females of the species are wingless, and their sting is said to be strong enough to kill a cow.

They are typically black in color with yellow markings on their head and thorax.

European Paper Wasp

European paper wasps are a type of wasp that is not native to the United States. They are smaller than other types of wasps, and their nests are made of a paper-like material. They can be identified by their yellow and black markings.

They are also less aggressive and tend to build their nests in sheltered areas such as under eaves, decks, or porch roofs.

Worker wasps feed caterpillars, cabbage worms, and hornworms to the larvae, which helps to keep these pests under control. They are also beneficial in that they pollinate flowers.

German Yellow Jacket

The German Yellow Jacket is a species of wasp that is found in Europe and North America. It is a medium-sized wasp with a yellow and black striped abdomen.

They are known for their aggressive behavior and can be dangerous if they sting humans.

They get their name from the yellow and black stripes on their abdomens. These wasps are about 1/2 inch long and can be identified by their characteristic markings.

What’s the difference between a bee and a wasp?

photo pea

Bees and wasps are different types of insects that play an important role in pollination. Bees are hairy, and wasps are not. They also have different body shapes. Bees tend to be more round, while wasps are more slender.

In contrast, wasps do not have piles and are generally considered to be more aggressive. There are many types of wasps, but the most common ones in North America are yellow jackets, hornets, and paper wasps.

In contrast, wasps are predators of other arthropods and scavengers. This means that they eat other bugs, which can be helpful in keeping populations of pests under control.

However, wasps can also be quite harmful to humans as they can sting us when we are not expecting them.

Types of Wasps in the Different States

There are many types of wasps that can be found in different states. Some wasp species can be damaging to humans and pets if not treated properly. It is important to learn about the different types of wasps that exist in the various states.

Wasps in Florida

There are a variety of wasp species in Florida, but three types are of particular interest: cicada killer wasps, southern yellow jackets, and bald-faced hornets.

Cicada killer wasps are members of the Vespidae family, which includes paper wasps. They are about 1.5 inches long and have black and yellow stripes on their abdomen.

Southern yellow jackets belong to the Ichneumonidae family and can be found in Florida. They are about 0.75 inches long, with alternating bands of black and yellow on their abdomens.

Both cicada killer and southern yellow jacket wasps kill their prey by stinging in the thorax, injecting a paralyzing agent into the body, and eventually killing.

Wasps in Texas

There are a variety of wasps that can be found in Texas. Some of the most common types include the Cicada Killer Wasp, the Great Black Hairy Wasp, and the Paper Wasp.

Each type has its own unique characteristics and habits. It is important to be aware of these different types so you can identify them if you see them and take appropriate precautions.

Wasps in California

types flower

Paper wasps can be found in California. Paper wasps build their nests out of mud, which helps to keep them warm and moist. These wasps can cause problems for humans and animals if they get close to their nests or sting someone.

Wasps in Michigan

There are three types of wasps that are found in Michigan- yellow jackets, paper wasps, and bald-faced hornets. All three species are members of the Vespidae family.

Yellow jacket colonies can be found throughout most of Michigan, while paper wasp colonies are more common in the southern portion of the state. Bald-faced hornets are only found in a small area near Lake Superior.

Wasps in Virginia

There are a variety of wasps that can be found in Virginia. These include the bald-faced hornet, paper wasp, yellow jacket, European hornet, and mud dauber.

These wasps are all aggressive insects that can cause damage to crops and property. People should be aware of the dangers these wasps pose when they are around and learn how to identify them so they can avoid them.

Summary

There are many types of wasps in the world, and this information is provided to help you identify and avoid wasps that may be encountered in the wild. While most wasps are not aggressive, some can be quite dangerous. It is important to be able to identify them so that you can take steps to avoid them.

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.