Wasps - Biology Of Wasps, Important Groups Of North American Wasps
insects parasites tinier species
Wasps are slim-waisted, stinging insects in the order Hymenoptera. There are two main groups of wasps: the solitary wasps are relatively small parasites of other arthropods, while the social wasps are larger and live in colonies. Some other groups of tinier hymenopterans are also commonly known as wasps.
Wasps are familiar insects to most people, and they are good insects to know about because wasps can deliver a very painful sting when they feel threatened or are agitated. It is less well-known that many of the tinier species of wasps provide a very valuable service to humans because these parasites and predators can be quite effective at reducing populations of injurious species of insects.
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Wasps have a complete metamorphosis with four stages in their life history: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adult wasps have four sparsely veined, membranous wings, and most species have their abdomen joined to the thorax across a very narrow waist. Wasps have chewing mouth parts, useful for masticating their food and for pulping wood to manufacture the paper that wasps often use to build the cell-li…
The most familiar wasps to most people are the relatively large social species, such as hornets, yellow jackets, and potter wasps, all in the family Vespidae. These wasps are brightly colored, have yellow-and-black or white-and-black stripes on their abdomen, and buzz audibly when flying. Adults of these species catch insects as prey, and they also feed on nectar and soft fruits. Vespid wasps buil…
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