Types of Wasps in Wisconsin

Yellow Jackets

• Yellow jackets represent the most common wasp species found in Wisconsin. According to "Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine," many people mistake these stinging insects for bees because of their yellow and black stripes. While bees typically have fat, hairy bodies, yellow jackets have a slender, hairless body that ends in a tapered point. They measure roughly 1/2 inch long, and tend to be much more aggressive than bees. These wasps also do little to help with pollination, and are considered a nuisance during the summer and autumn.

Bold-Faced Hornets

• Despite its name, the bold-faced hornet actually belongs to the wasp family. These insects feature a stout body striped in white and black, with a distinctive white band wrapped around the abdominal area. They measure 12 to 20 mm in length, according to InsectIdentification.org, and tend to be much broader than other wasp species. Bold-faced hornets are very aggressive, and are likely to sting if threatened by humans. Once they sting, they continue to sting repeatedly until the victim manages to kill the hornet or escape the vicinity.

Paper Wasps

• The paper wasp, or European paper wasp, shares many physical characteristics with the yellow jacket. According to the Michigan State University Extension, the paper wasp is much smaller, but features the same distinct yellow and black stripes. It also has one of the thinnest, frailest bodies of all wasp species. The paper wasp is native to Europe, but has invaded many different parts of the world, including Wisconsin and other U.S. states, thanks to its extremely fast reproductive rate. These wasps build unique paper nests in the eaves of a building. The nest can be distinguished from those of other species by its open-cell bottom.

Stingless Wasps

• One of the more recent additions to the Wisconsin wasp family is the binodoxys communis, or stingless wasp. According to the Iowa Soybean Association, this tiny wasp can provide tremendous benefits to farmers. It serves as an alternative to traditional pesticides when it comes to attacking the soybean aphid. Soybean aphids prey on soybeans, and can have a major impact on crop yield. The binodoxys communis destroys the aphid eggs, preventing the aphid from reproducing.