There 4,000 different kinds of wasps found in the United States, the most common of which are of the hornet and yellow jacket sub-species. While each type of wasp has different characteristics, they all share a few common traits. Unlike most bees, which have compact bodies and short legs, wasps have more streamlined bodies and long legs that hang down when they fly. People tend to fear wasps more than bees because all wasps can sting multiple times and each sting is more painful than that of a bee.
Bald-Faced Hornet
The bald-faced hornet is a sub-species of wasp that is common across the United States. They can be identified by their ¾ inch shiny black bodies and white patches on the face. Unlike many of the other types of wasps, it is an herbivore and feeds primarily on fruit juices and nectar. Bald-faced hornets form large colonies that live in nests made of bark and paper that can reach the size of a basketball. These can usually be found hanging from trees, buildings, and bushes. Bald-faced hornets are harmless until they feel that their territory has been invaded, in which case they become quite aggressive.
European Hornet
Contrary to its name, the European hornet is another common type of wasp found in the United States. Measuring 1 ½ inches long, it is also one of the largest and most fearsome wasps. The body is primarily black, although there are also some yellow markings that may cause people to confuse the European hornet with a bee. It is a very different insect, however, than a common honeybee. European hornets hunt in groups and primarily feed off of yellow jackets, bees, flies, and grasshoppers. They are omnivores, so on occasion they also dine on fruit and tree sap. European hornets are distinct from other wasps in two other major ways: they often fly at night and they use wood fiber to build a protective shell around their nests.
Yellow Jacket
Although they have a thin body, the yellow jacket’s black and yellow stripes make it the wasp most commonly mistaken for a bee. Yellow jackets, however, are quite distinct from both bees and other types of wasps. They like to be around humans. Not because of the good company, but because they love human food – specifically sweets and meats. Yellow jackets also feed on spiders and other insects, but they prefer to seek out human picnics. While this makes them quite an annoying breed of pest, yellow jacket stings are not as painful as those of other wasps and they actually help gardeners by eating insects that destroy plants. Their nests are usually found underground, near garbage, in trees, and inside walls.