The wasp insect family includes thousands of species worldwide, most of which are predatory. The most common types of wasps are wasps, yellow jacket wasps, and paper wasps. Use the color, shape, and habitat of the wasp nest to help you identify the different types of wasps. Knowing some of the key differences between wasps and bees can help you tell the difference. This article does not discuss parasitoid wasps, which are very small and should be distinguished by experts.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Wasps by Physical Characteristics
Step 1. Pay attention to the yellow and black colors
Identify the yellow jacket wasp and the European paper wasp by the yellow and black band on the belly. The cicadas predator wasp is a type of burrowing wasp that resembles the larger and wider yellow jacket wasp. Recognize the European wasp by its yellow and black striped tail and reddish-brown thorax. You will also notice the presence of black and yellow mud dauber wasps.
Note that the mud dauber wasp can also be black or black-blue metallic, as can spider wasps (including tarantula wasps)
Step 2. Identify wasps based on other colors
The paper wasp native to North America is golden brown with red and yellow patches. Distinguish this breed from the bald-faced hornet, which has white and black stripes with a white face. Also pay attention to the burrowing wasp, which has a brown-orange, yellow, and black body and metallic blue wings.
The velvet ant, despite its name, is a wingless black wasp that is bright red, yellow, orange, or white
Step 3. Estimate the size of the wasp
Note the yellow jacket wasp measuring about 1 cm. Compare this to the larger wasps, including the bald-faced wasp 2 to 3 cm long, the European hornet 2 to 3.5 cm long, and the tarantula-predating wasp which is much larger, 2.5 to 6.5 cm long and the cicadas predator long. 4 cm. Paper wasps and mud daubers tend to be 1 to 2 cm long.
Step 4. Observe her body shape
With a few rare exceptions-such as European wasps-wasps can be recognized by their smooth, hairless bodies and small waists. Learn to recognize the yellow jacket wasp by its short, narrow waist and conical belly that tapers to a sharp point. Note the distinctive long legs and skinny waist of the paper wasp. Also note that the mud dauber wasp has a very small waist and a long, thin body.
Method 2 of 3: Identifying Wasp Habitat
Step 1. Look for paper nests
Unlike bees, which make nests out of wax, yellow jackets, wasps, and paper wasps make nests out of paper and saliva. Look for yellow-jacket nests in cracks and holes in walls, and look for hornets' nests in trees, bushes, and under roofs. Also look for paper wasp nests under building overhangs. Notice that the paper wasp nest will open at the top.
Step 2. Identify the mud dauber wasp nest from the mud
Look for mud dauber nests that are like long cylindrical tubes on the sides of buildings, attics, verandas, car garages, garden furniture, and under abandoned equipment. You may also find mud dauber nests that appear thicker. Look for mud dauber around fountains, puddles, pond edges, and damp lawns, where the wasp collects mud for its nest.
Step 3. Locate the burrowing wasp at ground level
Look for a burrow the diameter of a pencil in sandy, moist soil. You will notice that there is usually very little vegetation around the burrowing wasp burrows. Note that these burrows are usually dug in areas exposed to direct sunlight.
Method 3 of 3: Differentiating Between Wasps and Bees
Step 1. Distinguish the physical characteristics of wasps and bees
Look at the waist of the insect. Wasps have waists, while bees' waists are as wide as their bodies. Next, observe the fur. As noted above, most wasps are hairless, while bees tend to be more hairy to help carry pollen. Finally, pay attention to the length of the insect-wasps tend to be longer than most bees.
Step 2. Observe the color
Generally, you will see the same basic coloration in wasps and bees. However, keep in mind that wasps have more vivid colors and patterns than bees. Notice the very vivid coloration of the wasps, as opposed to the duller colors of the bees.
Step 3. Watch what they eat
Wasps tend to prey on other insects. Yellow jacket wasps are scavengers and you can observe them eating or hunting for food and human waste. On the other hand, bees survive by consuming pollen and nectar.
