Hobbies And Interests
Social Wasps
Some wasps, such as hornets, yellow jackets and some paper wasps, live in colonies. These are structured somewhat like bee colonies, with a queen or foundress, sterile worker females and stingless males. According to Science Daily, these wasps' colony behavior may have developed from the maternal care provided by solitary wasps. Behavior-related genes in worker wasps are most similar to the same genes seen in foundresses.
Solitary Wasps
Solitary wasp species do not spend time around other wasps, and may meet them only to reproduce. Examples of solitary wasps include the digger wasps, such as the cicada killer. Females of these species build nests to house their young, but do not live in these nests themselves. Often, a paralyzed spider or insect is placed inside the nest to feed the young as they develop.
Parasitic Wasps
Many, but not all species of wasps are parasitic. These creatures search for specific insect hosts using sensitive organs on their ovipositors, or egg laying organs, and their antenna. Many types of parasitic wasps prey on just one or two species. Once the female finds the right host, she lays her eggs in its body. The larval wasps feed on the host, then break free at adulthood.
Feeding
Unlike bees, wasps do not usually consume nectar or pollen. Instead, the majority of wasps are carnivorous. They feed on insects or carrion. Some wasps, such as the yellow jacket, also consume fallen fruit and other sugary foods. This, and their garbage scavenging behavior, make them a common pest at outdoor meals. Some wasps also feed on plants, creating galls, or swellings in the plant stem or leaf.
Considerations
Most wasps are much less aggressive than their reputation suggests. Solitary wasps, such as the cicada killer, may sting only when threatened or directly handled. Males lack the ability to sting entirely. However, other species are prone to sting and can be dangerous in large numbers. Yellow jackets are especially prone to aggression if their nests are threatened.