- For alternate meanings, see wasp
(disambiguation).
A wasp is any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is not a bee, sawfly, or an ant.
Less familiar, the suborder Symphyta includes the sawflies and wood wasps, which differ from the Apocrita by having a broad connection between the thorax and abdomen. Also, Symphyta larvae are
mostly herbivorous and "caterpillarlike", whereas those of Apocrita are largely predatory or parasitic.
Polistes wasp building nest in California
Most familiar wasps belong to the Aculeata, a division of the Apocrita whose ovipositors are modified into a venomous
stinger that includes ants and bees. In this sense, the
species called "velvet ants" (Mutilidae) are actually wasps.
A narrower meaning of the term wasp is any member of the Aculeate family Vespidae. This includes the yellowjackets (Vespula,
Dolichovespula spp.) and hornets (Vespa spp.).
Characteristics
The following characteristics are present in most wasps:
- Two pairs of wings (exception: female Mutillidae)
- A stinger (only present in females because it derives from
the ovipositor)
- Few or no hairs (in contrast to bees); exception:
Mutillidae
- Predators or parasitoids, mostly
on other insects; some species of Pompilidae, such as the tarantula hawk, specialize in using spiders as a host
Wasps are critically important in natural biocontrol. There is a wasp
species that is predator or parasite
upon almost every pest insect species. Wasps are also increasingly used in agricultural pest control.
Mud daubers are a common species of wasp.
Some Wasp Families
- Vespidae Yellowjackets, hornets, etc.
- Scoliidae Scoliid wasps
- Mutillidae - velvet 'ants'
- Sphecidae - digger wasps, e.g. the
Cicada Killer Wasp
- Pompilidae - spider wasps
- Chrysididae - cuckoo wasps
A yellowjacket wasp drinking
See also
External links
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