As our community continues to recover from recent storms, find helpful resources and information at tiny.cc/ufsaraext_disasterprep, tiny.cc/saraco_disasterprep, and scgov.net/government/emergency-services/storm.

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Wasps (Hymenoptera)

Description

Few insects strike fear into the hearts of people as wasps do. With several species known for their female’s defensive stinging behavior, it’s not surprising that these beneficial bugs get a bad rep. The truth is that most wasps are solitary and not known to sting. The ones that do usually have nests, containing important resources that need to be diligently guarded. Out in nature, wasps are cutthroat warriors when it comes to managing pests.

There are two main ways that wasps hunt their prey: through direct predation and by parasitization. Many of our larger wasp species use their stingers to paralyze smaller insects, such as cicadas, caterpillars, and flies, before bringing them back to feed their young. While this may seem gruesome, it doesn’t even hold a light to the feeding behavior of parasitoid wasps. These wasps tend to be smaller in size, but that doesn’t take away from the horrors they inflict on their victims.

Female parasitoid wasps use their ovipositors to lay eggs on or in the bodies of their prey. The eggs eventually hatch, leaving larvae that feed on said prey, sometimes from the inside out. They continue to grow and feed until reaching maturity. Unlike regular parasites that require their host to remain alive, parasitoids kill their host after receiving the nutrients they need. Once they’re ready, they will leave to find their mates, leaving behind an empty, lifeless husk. Yeesh!

Most wasps have the following features in common: a pinched waist, pointed abdomen, large, compound eyes, and four membranous wings. Coloration varies by species, but many are yellow and black, while some are reddish brown or even iridescent blue. Size can also greatly vary, with the tiniest wasp, Dicopomorpha echmepterygis, measuring at a mere 0.005 inches long and the largest, Pepsis heros, up to 2.25 inches long.

Some notable predatory wasps include paper wasps (Polistes spp.) and yellowjackets (Vespula spp.), both of which make papery nests and are prone to sting when disturbed. Some notable parasitoid wasps include thynnid wasps (Thynnidae), like the Myzinum wasp, which feeds on the larvae of scarabs, and mud daubers (Sphecidae), which make mud chambers on the sides of buildings. Inside these chambers are paralyzed spiders, which will serve as a food source for their young.

Services

Wasps are incredible hunters, helping keep pest populations in check. As mentioned, some wasps are parasitoids, laying their eggs on or in very specific insects. A great example of this is the Larra wasp, which is only known to parasitize mole crickets. The female will sting and paralyze a mole cricket before laying a single, pearly white egg on its underside. From there, the mole cricket will recover from its temporary paralysis and burrow under the soil. After some time has passed, the egg will hatch into a larva that will consume the cricket.

In addition to laying waste to insect pests, many wasps work double duty to pollinate flowering plants. Adult wasps get their energy from sugars, primarily found in the nectar of flowers. As they visit these flowers to feed, they often carry pollen from one plant to another. Pollination services are critical for supporting our local wildflowers. There are also some plants that rely exclusively on their specialized relationship with wasps to reproduce. One such example are figs.

Several species of fig trees are pollinated by very tiny wasps. Some local examples include the Florida strangler fig (Ficus aurea) and shortleaf fig (Ficus citrifolia). The female wasp will burrow into a unfertilized fig, losing her wings in the process. However, she no longer needs them, as she will spend the rest of her short life within the “fruit.” A quick aside – figs are actually considered an inflorescence, or grouping of several flowers.

Okay, back to business. Once inside, she will lay her eggs inside the seeds of the fig. After accomplishing her mission, she can pass in peace. The next generation will eventually emerge as mature adults…and mate. Yes, they are technically brothers and sisters. Nature is freaky, okay? Fertilized females will leave to find another fig and start the cycle anew, carrying pollen with them in the process. Once they find their new home, the pollen they carry with them will be transferred to the flowers inside the fig.

Now, for those of you who may be squeamish about eating wasps, don’t fret. Many of the commercial figs that we consume are self-pollinating, so you likely won’t find wasps in your fig bars. Commercial varieties that do require wasp pollination include Calimyrna figs, Caprifigs, Smyrna figs, and San Pedro figs. Eat at your discretion.

Habitat

Given the wide variety of species and their niche feeding habits, you’ll find wasps just about everywhere outside. Feeding adults can often be found in flower beds, gardens, and natural areas where nectar and prey are abundant. Solitary wasps do not have traditional nests but may create brood chambers for their young underneath the soil, in trees, or out of mud. This will depend entirely on the species. Social wasps often build their nests on the branches of trees or shrubs. However, they may also nest near or on human structures, which can be the occasional cause for alarm.

If you find defensive wasps in an undesirable area, such as around your entryway door or shed, you can use an aerosol spray to destroy the nest. Make sure to choose a product that targets the species you’re treating and read and follow any label instructions. Evening applications are best, when wasps are inactive. Small nests that are not yet established do not require a spray treatment. Instead, they can be dislodged with a broom.

Remember that not all situations call for removal – in fact, many don’t. I encourage you to coexist with wasps when possible, allowing them to provide their free pest control and pollination services! That said, always prioritize your health and wellbeing in situations where they pose a significant risk to you or your family.

Fun Fact

The emerald cockroach wasp (Ampulex compressa) uses surgical precision to inject a mind-controlling venom into the “brain” of its cockroach host. After taking a quick bloodmeal, the wasp then lures the zombified cockroach to a suitable location for its offspring: a dark, secluded burrow. Once inside, she will attach one of her eggs to its leg before sealing off the entrance. I’ll leave it to your imagination to figure out what happens next…or you could watch the video below to see all the disturbing details.

Learn about some of the different wasps found in Florida by clicking here.

Resources

• UF/IFAS Featured Creatures: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/
• UF/IFAS Insect ID Lab: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/insectid/
• IPM Florida: https://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/
• UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Chemicals in the Environment: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/natural-resources/chemicals-in-the-environment/

Credits

• Featured image: Cristina Carrizosa, UF/IFAS
• Photos: Credited in caption
• Graphics: Designed in Canva

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