Asian Giant Hornets

Asian giant hornet sitting on the palm of a human hand

Asian Giant Hornet Classification Class: Hexapoda (Insecta) Order: Hymenoptera Family: Vespidae Genus: Vespa Species: Vespa mandarinia Asian giant hornets are the largest known species of hornet.[1]  Vespa mandarinia, the scientific name for Asian giant hornets, is derived from the Latin word for “wasp,” vespa, and the English word “mandarin,” a Chinese official’s nickname, as well […]

Four-Toothed Mason Wasps

A male and a female four-toothed mason wasp mating on a leaf

Four-Toothed Mason Wasp Classification Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Vespidae Genus: Monobia Species: Monobia quadridens The four-toothed mason wasp is a species of wasp known as Monobia quadridens. Four-toothed mason wasps are a solitary potter wasp that is typically found in North America. They were first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1763 as Vespa quadridens. […]

Bee Flies

Bee Fly Classification Class: Insecta Order: Diptera Family: Bombyliidae Genus: Many Species: Many The bee fly is an insect belonging to the Bombyliidae family. Bee flies are so named because some Bombyliidae species closely resemble bees. Bombyliidae are members of the Diptera order, which is part of the Insecta class. The Bombyliidae family contains at […]

Mexican Honey Wasps

Mexican honey wasp pollinating a flower

The Mexican honey wasp is not like the more common species of wasp which are naturally aggressive. However, it is also not exactly like the common European honey bee. This species belongs to both species, being both part honeybee and part wasp. The Mexican honey wasp is one of the only wasps that produces honey […]

What Do Wasps Eat?

When biting into grapes, wasps leave traces of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae which kick starts the fermentation in the fruit that will later will be used for wine Wasps mainly want to feast on nectar or hunt insects and invertebrates for their young, but they don’t bite or hunt humans or large animals to feed […]

How Long Do Wasps Live?

how long do wasps live

Common Wasp Wasp species, along with their bee relatives, don’t live longer than a month. Most only live for a couple of weeks. Queen wasps, however, can live up to a year. Wasps develop quickly to contribute to their colonies, whether by working or mating, which contributes to their shortened lifespan. Table of Contents Add […]

Difference Between Wasps and Bees

difference between wasps and bees feeding

Both wasps and bees play an important role in the ecosystem Although all bees and wasps are a type of insect and branch out from the same family, many people do get them confused. While they are closely related, wasps are perceived to be the more dangerous and predatory of the Hymenoptera family. Table of […]

Wasp Identification

wasp-identification

Wasps are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem. Different species of wasps include yellowjackets, hornets, paper wasps, mud wasps, potter wasps, pollen wasps, and bald-faced wasps. Though they have different aggression levels, all of these wasps can inflict a painful sting. Table of Contents Add a header to begin generating the table of contents […]

Do Wasps Pollinate?

Wasps help crops by pollinating and preying on insects that destroy plants Wasps are part of the Hymenoptera order, which contains the primary pollinators of the world, including bees. Though wasps are not often recognized as beneficial, they play a key role in pollination as well as in the control of harmful or invasive insects.  […]

What Do Wasps Do?

what do wasps do feeding

Wasps are important for a healthy ecosystem, because they control pests and pollinate flowers and plants Wasps are natural predators that help keep the population of other species low. They can manage the populations of pest species, such as invasive insects, and contribute to pollination. Between these two roles, wasps are an essential part of […]