Although it may not seem like it at first glance, wasps are very similar to bees and ants, as they are eurosocial insects This means that they are organized in a colony that houses hundreds of individuals that fulfill specific tasks, led by a queen.
It is common to see wasps in the countryside or the city; Some people fear its bite, as they are allergic. However, how much do you know about them? On our site, we want to tell you what wasps eatFind out below what the diet of these flying insects is based on. Keep reading!
Characteristics of wasps
Wasps belong to the order Hymenoptera. There is a great variety of species, but they share some common characteristics that allow them to be distinguished from other insects.
- Physical: Wasps have a sectional body made up of a head, thorax, and a thin abdomen. They have two pairs of wings on the back and antennae. As for their eyes, they are usually more developed in nocturnal species. In addition, they have a stinger in the lower part of the abdomen, through which they inject poison into their prey.
- Habitat: Wasps have a wide distribution, found in sunny or temperate habitats around the world. They build their nests in trees and bushes, but in urban areas they tend to nest in walls and holes.
- Behavior: Wasp behavior is divided into two types, solitary and social. Social wasps live in the nest with the queen. They are dedicated to expanding the colony, providing food, among other arduous tasks. In contrast, solitary wasps are independent and work on their own; they are all fertile, so they have no problem reproducing.
The wasp is not an endangered species; however, factors such as logging, pesticides and forest fires severely harm the species and its environment.
Types of wasps
In total there are more than 50 species of wasps in the world. Next, we will show you a list of the most common types of wasps:
Common wasp
The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is a species that measures 17 mm in lengthIt is characterized by having a black body with yellow spots. It lives in trees and bushes, but also in the walls and corners of the house, in holes, under floors, etc.
This is kind of a social wasp. In addition, its sting can cause anything from simple swelling to anaphylactic shock, causing serious he alth complications for the victim.
Asian hornet
The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is native to the Asian continent. It is distinguished by its large size, as the largest reach 3.5 cm in length. Its body is black on the abdomen, but the legs are yellow.
Being a large wasp species, is more dangerous, as it injects more venom into its victims. In fact, this wasp is responsible for several deaths a year in different parts of the world. It nests in humid or temperate areas.
In case of a wasp sting, you can consult this other article on What to do when a wasp stings you?
Paper Wasp
The paper wasp (Polistes dominula) is a species native to the African continent; however, it was later introduced to North America, Europe, and Asia. It is similar to the aforementioned wasps, since its body has a black coloration with yellow spots; the legs are long and the abdomen narrow.
This species is considered a pest, as it has devastating consequences on crops. As for its poison, it is very toxic and causes a lot of pain in the victim.
German Wasp
The German wasp (Vespula germanica) is a species originally from Africa, although it can currently be found anywhere in the world, especially in South America, New Zealand and Australia.
Its legs and parts of its abdomen are yellow, while the rest of its body, including its antennae, is black. Like the Asian wasp, this type of wasp is considered a pest due to the damage it causes to crops.
Hornet
Before I tell you what wasps eat, you also need to know about the hornet (Vespa crabro). It is a large species, as the queen reaches an impressive 35 mm in length; the workers, on the other hand, are a little smaller, with 25 mm. Its coloration is brown with yellow or orange lines, while the wings are reddish.
The hornet lives in Europe and Asia. It is generally a calm species, only attacking when disturbed; however, if he must defend the nest, he will do so regardless of the consequences.
What do wasps eat?
It is common to confuse wasps with bees, since their appearance is similar and their diet is the same in some aspects, as we can see in this other article on Differences between wasps and bees. However, while it is true that wasps are able to ingest the pollen of flowers, their diet is much more varied.
In the larval stage, wasps feed on other larvae or smaller insects, especially if they are slow. On the other hand, when they reach adulthood they are able to eat:
- Crickets.
- Flies.
- Caterpillars.
- Carrion.
- Fruits.
During the gestation period, future mothers require more protein and become voracious predators. They also hunt other insects to feed their young.
