Wasps Facts

• Size: Up to 3.81 cm in length
• Color: Wasps can vary in color from the more familiar yellow to brown, blue and even a bright red.

Wasp Behavior

Wasps make up a wide range of insects with over 30,000 species. They are mostly feared by people because a number of species of wasp can sting when threatened. Although they look similar to bees, wasps can be distinguished by their pointed lower abdomen and thin center. Different species of wasps vary greatly in appearance. All have one large and one small pairs of wings.

Although some species of wasps may be very bothersome to people, the majority of the species are solitary and non-stinging. Additionally, wasps are extremely important in the control of other pest insects because almost all pests are the food source for at least one species of wasp. Without the presence of wasps, this natural insect control would not be possible. Although wasps are helpful to the environment, they can also be dangerous when encountering people. If their nest is disturbed, wasps become very defensive and will swarm and sting in order to protect the nest.