Common Wasp: All You Need to Know – Essential Facts and Tips

The common wasp, also known as the yellowjacket, is a flying insect that can be identified by its distinctive black and yellow markings. Belonging to the same order, Hymenoptera, as bees and ants, these wasps serve as important pollinators, helping plants produce fruits and seeds.

While common wasps share similarities with bees, one notable feature that sets them apart is their body: wasps have smooth bodies, while bees have hairier ones to collect pollen and nectar. Additionally, wasps are known for their slender to stout body shapes, which can range from less than half an inch to one and a half inches long, displaying various colors like black and yellow or black and red.

Common Wasp Overview

Wasps vs Bees

Wasps and bees are both insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera, but they differ in several characteristics. Some key differences between them include:

• Appearance: Wasps typically have a smooth and shiny body with few hairs, whereas bees are hairy and carry pollen on their bodies.
• Diet: Wasps are generally carnivorous, feeding on other insects, while bees are herbivores that consume nectar and pollen from flowers.
• Aggressiveness: Wasps are known to be more aggressive than bees, defending their nests or stinging when they feel threatened.

Social vs Solitary Wasps

Wasps can be categorized into two main groups: social wasps and solitary wasps. Here are their main distinctions:

• Social Wasps: Live in colonies and have a structured hierarchy consisting of a queen, workers, and males. Examples include yellowjackets and hornets.
• Solitary Wasps: Do not form colonies and often hunt for their prey independently. Examples include thread-waisted wasps (Sphecidae) and digger wasps (Crabronidae).

Characteristics of social wasps:

• Live in colonies
• Structured hierarchy (queen, workers, males)
• Examples: yellowjackets, hornets

Characteristics of solitary wasps:

• Do not form colonies
• Hunt independently
• Examples: thread-waisted wasps, digger wasps

Physical Description

Coloration and Markings

Common wasps, such as yellowjackets, paper wasps, and hornets, are visually striking. Specifically, these wasps usually have black and yellow markings, while red wasps can have black and red coloration.

• Common yellowjacket: black and yellow stripes
• Red paper wasp: black and red coloration

Abdomens and Waist

Wasps belonging to the Vespidae family, like Vespula and Dolichovespula, have some distinguishing features. One of them is their slim waist, which separates their thorax and abdomen.

These slim waists provide enhanced agility, making it easier for common wasps to catch prey and navigate their environment.

Behavior and Habits

Nesting and Hives

The common wasp establishes its nest in various locations, such as trees, bushes, or even within building crevices. Nests are constructed from chewed wood fibers, creating a paper-like material that forms a protective shell around the colony. Here are a few key features of wasp nests:

• Made of paper-like material
• Can be found in trees, bushes, and building crevices
• Contain multiple hexagonal cells for larvae

For example, the paper wasp builds its nest in a single exposed layer, while the yellowjacket’s nests can have multiple layers and be hidden.

Feeding Patterns

Common wasps have a varied diet, mainly preying on insects such as caterpillars, flies, and crickets. While adult wasps feed on nectar, their larvae consume insect protein provided by the adults.

In conclusion, understanding the behavior and habits of common wasps can help in managing their presence and recognizing their role as pollinators and natural pest controllers.

Stinging and Threats

Reasons for Stinging

• Defense: Common wasps, like yellowjackets and paper wasps, will sting to protect their nests or themselves if disturbed or threatened ¹.
• Accidental contact: If a wasp feels trapped or cornered, it might sting as a defense mechanism.

Pain and Symptoms

• Initial pain: Wasp stings cause a sharp, burning pain immediately followed by redness and swelling ².
• Secondary symptoms: Other common symptoms include itching, warmth, and mild discomfort at the site of the sting for several hours.

Allergic Reactions

• Some individuals can experience severe allergic reactions to wasp stings, resulting in anaphylaxis ³.
• Symptoms of anaphylaxis:
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Confusion or dizziness
• Seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms arise.

Preventing and Treating Stings

Self-Defense Methods

To avoid wasp stings:

• Stay calm and move away slowly if a wasp approaches you.
• Avoid swatting at wasps, as it can provoke them to sting.
• Wear light-colored clothing, as wasps are attracted to bright colors.
• Use insect repellent to deter wasps.
• Keep food and drinks covered outdoors, as wasps are drawn to sweet smells.

First Aid Treatments

1. Ice

After a wasp sting:

• Apply an ice pack or a cold cloth to the sting area.
• Keep the ice on for 10-15 minutes to reduce swelling and numb pain.

2. Soap and Water

Immediately after being stung:

• Wash the sting site with soap and water.
• Cleaning the area helps prevent infection.

3. Antihistamine

To alleviate itching and swelling:

• Take an over-the-counter antihistamine.
• Apply a topical antihistamine cream to the sting area.

4. Medical Attention

Seek medical attention if:

• You experience trouble breathing, chest pain, or other severe symptoms.
• You’ve been stung multiple times, as this can increase the risk of complications.

In conclusion, preventing wasp stings includes staying calm, avoiding bright clothing, and using insect repellent. Treat stings with ice, soap and water, and antihistamines. Seek medical attention if necessary.

Common Wasp Lifecycle

Eggs and Larvae

Common wasps, like yellowjackets, begin their lifecycle as eggs. The queen lays her eggs into individual cells of the nest, using her ovipositor to deposit them. Some key features of eggs and larvae include:

• Eggs are laid by the queen
• Larvae emerge from eggs and are fed by workers

Once the eggs hatch, the larvae emerge and are cared for by worker wasps. These workers collect insects and other food items to feed the larvae. In return, the larvae secrete a sweet substance that workers consume.

Males and Mated Females

As the colony grows, new castes develop including males and mated females. Some characteristics of these individuals are:

• Males emerge from unfertilized eggs
• Males have a slender thorax and no ovipositor
• Males’ main role is to mate with new queens

Mated females, or new queens, develop from fertilized eggs. They have the ability to start a new colony after mating. A comparison of males and mated females:

Once the mating season is over, the old queen, males, and workers die, leaving only the mated females alive to start new colonies the following spring.

Human and Wasp Interactions

Pollination and Pest Control

Wasps are essential pollinators and play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem by pollinating flowers and controlling pest populations. Some wasp species, like parasitoid wasps, are particularly helpful in pest control by laying their eggs inside pests, which their larvae consume.

For example, the eastern cicada killer (Sphecius speciosus) is a non-aggressive solitary wasp species that predates on cicadas. This type of wasp is considered beneficial for controlling cicada populations.

Pros:

• Excellent pollinators
• Effective pest control agents

Cons:

• Some wasp species can be aggressive
• Some people are allergic to wasp stings

Dealing with Nests

When dealing with wasp nests, the level of aggressiveness varies between species. Many social wasps have nests with a petiole and can be defensive when their nests are threatened. Here are ways to deal with wasp nests:

• Leave it alone: Most solitary wasps, which are non-aggressive, require minimal interference.
• Call a professional: When dealing with aggressive social wasp species, it’s safer to call an expert for nest removal or relocation.

Interesting Wasp Facts

Geographical Distribution

• Common wasps are found across the globe, with different species inhabiting various environments.
• Southern California is home to several species of wasps, including the western yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica) and the German yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria).
• Entomologists study the behavior, distribution, and habitat of wasps as part of their research.

Unique Wasps

Western Yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica)

• Native species to Southern California
• Predominant species in Los Angeles
• Recognizable by their black and yellow bodies
• Can cause itching, rapid heart rate, and diarrhea if stung

German Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria)

• An invasive species in the United States
• Can be found in urban areas and city parks
• Distinguished by their black and yellow bands on the abdomen
• Attracted to sweet foods and human activities

Pheromones and Infographics

• Wasps use pheromones for communication
• Identifying wasp species can be facilitated by utilizing infographics to differentiate between the native and invasive populations