Facts About Wasps

The wasp is a medium sized flying insect, which is identified by black and yellow markings over its body. This also leads to wasps beings confused with bees quite often. They are neither bees nor flying ants. Wasps are found in all the countries of the world, barring the Polar Regions. Around the world, there are approximately 75, 000 recognized species of wasps that grow to a length of 2/3 inch. Almost every species of insects contains a wasp species that preys upon it or parasitizes it. This natural boicontrol of insect species through wasps makes them critically important in natural control of their population. Read the article to find some interesting facts and amazing information about wasps.

Interesting & Amazing Information on Wasps

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hymenoptera

Height: 5-15mm

Weight: 1 gram

Lifespan: 12-22 days

Diet: Nectar, Insects, Caterpillars, Fruits

Habitat: Worldwide, except Polar Regions

Number of Offspring: 25

Interesting & Amazing Information About Wasps

The wasp is known for its poisonous sting, which can be very painful. Wasp stings can also be fatal as some people are allergic to them. The stung area can swell and form a lump that takes a few days to soothe.
An interesting thing about wasps is that when these insects die, they release a smell (called a pheromone). This smell warns the other wasps of the lurking danger and is an indicator that help is needed.
Just like many other species of insects, wasp is known to be a social animal. As many as 10,000 wasps are believed to inhabit one nest. The queen wasp, who is the only breeding female, builds the nest using a papery substance made of chewed wood and plants.
Wasps are predated upon by different animals, which can include birds, amphibians, reptiles and various species of mammal. This is despite of their bright colors, which can serve to deter the predators.
Wasps, being omnivorous animals, eat a mixture of plants and other animals. They prefer to eat sweeter plants and feed on nectars, fruits and honey. However, they also eat insects and even large caterpillars.
Wasps are believed to become very aggressive during the months from August to October. During this period, their food preference shifts from insects to food and garbage. This is also the time when they can come in contact with humans and attack them.
Since wasps predate on caterpillars, they are considered as beneficial to farmers. They could comb the whole area to find food and pick caterpillars, which can damage the crops.
Wasps are active only during the daylight and they can be usually found resting in their nests during the night time. If one wants to eradicate the wasps permanently, night time is considered to be the best.
All female wasps are not fertile and the first group of wasps to be born is one of sterile wasps. The queen wasp is helped by some fertile wasps in increasing the population of the nest in the beginning. The other fertile wasps lay eggs in the beginning but eventually become sterile, when there are enough wasps in the nest.

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