How Do Wasps Work Together?

Despite their reputation as a pest, there are many species of wasps that perform critical roles in ecosystems. They are categorized in the same insect order as bees, Hymenoptera. Most species of wasps are parasitic, but some species are beneficial in crop agriculture. Some wasps are helpful in controlling populations of pest cockroaches.

Wasps are classified in two main groups: social and solitary. Social wasps live in colonies, and work together to raise and protect their young. Some wasp species build nests in buildings or trees, while others build hanging nests. They use hormones to communicate with each other.

Social wasps include the yellow jacket, paper wasps, and umbrella wasps. These wasps often swarm together on tall structures in the early spring. These swarms are the most dangerous to humans. However, most wasps do not sting.

Unlike bees, wasps do not have branched hairs. They have hexagonal cells that are stuck together with spaces in between. These spaces act as a corridor for the wasps to move between the cells.

The nests of wasps are extremely durable, and are constructed in many different ways. They are usually made of mud or leaf litter, and are built in areas with moist soil. A typical colony of paper wasps can contain between 20 and 75 adults. The nest is often attached to the eaves of a building.

The nests of yellow jackets are built from leaf litter. They offer a rich source of nutrients to predators.