How Did Wasps Get Their Name?

Probably one of the largest insect orders, the Hymenoptera order is home to over 400 species of wasps. These insects have three jointed appendages, an open circulatory system, and specialized sensory receptors. Some species include a pollen basket. These species pollinate plants and provide some important services to our environment.

There are two major groups of wasps, parasitic and non-parasitic. Parasitic wasps are usually brightly colored and use their sting to paralyze their prey.

Non-parasitic wasps hunt insects and spiders. Most of these wasps are predators. The adults feed on sap and nectar from plants and animal foods. These species also use their sting to paralyze their targets.

The Scoliid wasp family consists of large, hairy solitary wasps. Their wings have parallel wrinkles and a corrugated pattern. Some of the species have bright yellow and black markings. They are found in North America and Australia.

The Megaspilid family includes species that are fond of soil. These wasps have spurs on their tibia. Some species also have a forked spur on their front tibia.

Some parasitic wasps inject eggs inside their host. These wasps also drill through bark and stems to obtain their food source. Some parasitic species also use spiders as their reproductive hosts.

The Crabronid family is a group of wasps that use a different approach to caring for their young. These wasps lay eggs in the nests of their host species. Some of these wasps are predators, while others regurgitate food for their larvae.

Continue reading:

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