Are Wasps Getting Bigger?
WouterDuring spring, the queens of a wasp colony emerge from hibernation to start building their nests. These nests are made of small cores of cells, each about twenty to thirty cells in size. This nest is surrounded by a brood comb which grows to accommodate the young larvae.
The workers in the wasp colonies collect wood and other materials to build their nests. These materials are chewed into long ribbons that are then added to the nest one at a time.
They also use nectar from flowers in early summer. These colonies have thousands of wasps. Each colony has one queen, and the workers work together to feed her. These queens are responsible for the plant pollination that we enjoy throughout the year.
The great golden digger wasp is a member of the Sphecidae family. The wasp is named for its golden pubescence. This species is relatively harmless to humans, but its sting is painful.
The baldfaced hornet is a native species that is usually found in wooded areas. They build aerial nests at least three feet above the ground. These nests can be very large. They are sometimes found on utility poles and shrubs. They can also be aggressive if their food source is threatened.
The largest wasp species in the Ichneumonidae family is the Megarhyssa macrurus. These wasps grow to be 2 inches in length. They are also known as the great golden sand digger. The males are smaller than the females.
