Can Wasps and Bees Live Together?
WouterSeveral types of social wasps are important in controlling insect pests. They live in large colonies with queens and workers. These colonies may contain hundreds of individuals. They defend their colony from outside predators. They are not important plant pollinators.
Social wasps and bees are very different. While bees are solitary, social wasps live in colonies with queens. The colonies are very small early in the season and grow in size as the season progresses. During the winter, only mated females survive.
Wasps can be found in trees, shrubs, and buildings. They are most active during the night. They feed on insects, spiders, and carrion. They also eat plants juice and protein. They may also hunt bees and nuisance flies.
Some types of wasps build their nests in soil. Others build their nests in the pith of plants. These nests are usually destroyed by wild animals. The nests are covered with paper combs.
The Asian giant hornet, also known as the murder hornet, is a very aggressive wasp that has been introduced to the west coast. It can sting without warning. The venom contains a neurotoxin. It is very painful to humans.
Another type of social wasp is the yellowjacket. Yellowjackets are very aggressive, and some can sting without warning. They are also very dangerous. They eat honey bee larvae.
The Asian giant hornet is very aggressive and attacks honey bee colonies. It also rips off the heads of bees. They are known as sparrow wasps in Japan.
