Wasps

The term wasp is often defined, as any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita, that is neither a bee; nor an ant. In fact, it is not uncommon for wasps to be mistaken for bees, and vice-versa. In a similar respect, an insect known as the Velvet ant, is technically a wasp.

The various species of wasps, are a member of one of the following (2) main categories: solitary wasps and social wasps.

1. Adult solitary wasps live and operate alone. Most do not construct nests and in contrast to some social wasps, all adult solitary wasps are fertile.
2. Most social wasps build nests and live in colonies, that can number in the thousands. In some species, the majority of the colony is made up of sterile female workers. In this case, only the queen wasp and male wasps, are able to mate. Unlike honey bees, wasps have no wax producing glands.

Almost every pest insect species, has at least one wasp species that preys upon it, or parasitizes it. Because of this, wasps are seen as important contributors, to natural agricultural insect control. Much like bees, butterflies, and moths, the adult members of the species, typically derive their nutrition; from nectar.

Read more about the wasp.