. Aleiodes indiscretus wasp parasitizing gypsy moth caterpillar.

Wasps Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Suborder: Apocrita (in part)

A wasp is any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita, except for the bees and ants (which in this sense are derived from wasps). Most familiar wasps belong to the Aculeata (segment ? infraorder ?). In this sense, the species called "velvet ants" (Mutilidae) are actually wasps.

A narrower meaning of the term wasp is any member of the Aculeate family Vespidae. This includes the yellowjackets (Vespula, Dolichovespula spp.) and hornets (Vespa spp.).

Table of contents

1 Characteristics 2 Some Wasp Families 3 External links

Characteristics

The following characteristics are present in most wasps:

• Two pairs of wings (exception: female Mutillidae)
• A stinger (in females)
• Few or no hairs (in contrast to bees); exception: Mutillidae
• Predators or parasitoids, mostly on other insects; some (e.g. Pompilidae) specialize in spiders

Wasps are critically important in natural biocontrol. There is a wasp species that is predator or parasite upon almost every pest insect species. Wasps are also increasingly used in agricultural pest control.

See also: how to tell bees from wasps

Some Wasp Families

• Vespidae Yellowjackets, hornets, etc.

• Scoliidae Scoliid wasps
• Mutillidae - velvet 'ants'
• Sphecidae - digger wasps
• Pompilidae - spider wasps
• Chrysididae - cuckoo wasps

External links

• [1] a pictoral life cycle of organ pipe wasps
• [1] ''links to many parasitic wasps and other insects used for biological control

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The term sea wasp designates a number of species of jellyfish, including the deadly box jellyfish.

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See also:

• WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant)
• W.A.S.P (1980s heavy metal band)