Wasps
Cicada Killers
 This is the largest wasp species .
They are up to two inches long and are boldly marked with yellow stripes on a black body.
Cicada killers are most abundant during midsummer when their prey, the cicada, is active.
Cicada killers attack, sting and carry paralyzed cicadas back to underground burrows. These burrows can be found near walks, driveways and retaining walls and usually can be identified by the presence of fresh soil around the 1/2-inch entrance hole. Once the paralyzed cicada has been dragged underground, the wasp deposits an egg on it. Upon hatching, the wasp larva uses the cicada as a source of food.
These wasps normally are very docile and are unlikely to sting unless provoked. However, if nesting activities become a problem, infested areas can be treated with an insecticide.
Digger Wasps
(Bembix occulata)
 Digger wasps are beneficial.
They appear in the morning and fly-over turf in search of beetle grubs or the larvae of other insects.
These wasps generally do not sting unless handled or molested.
If this kind of wasp control is desired, treat the lawn with a liquid VIPER Insecticide Concentrate.
Digger wasps are cosmopolitan predators of the Sphecidae family that can sting and paralyze prey insects. There are over 9000 known digger wasps species. In preparation for egg laying they construct a protected "nest" (some species dig nests in the ground, while others use pre-existing holes) and then stock it with captured insects. Typically the prey are left alive, but paralyzed by wasp toxins. The wasps lay their eggs in the provisioned nest. When the wasp larvae hatch, they feed on the paralyzed insects. A well-known species of digger wasp is the great golden digger (Sphex ichneumoneus) which is found in North America. The developing wasps spend the winter in their nest. When the new generation of adults emerge, they contain the genetically-programmed behaviors that are required to carry out another season of nest building. During the summer, a female might build as many as half a dozen nests, each with several compartments for her eggs. The building and provisioning of the nests takes place in a stereotypical, step-by-step fashion.
Mud Dauber
Chalybion, Sceliphron
Adult mud daubers are 3/4 to 1 inch long wasps, varying in color by species from dull black to black with bright yellow markings to iridescent blue-black. The best identifying feature is the longer, narrow "waist" (petiole - the section between the thorax and abdomen).
These are solitary wasp species, with nests constructed and provisioned by individual mated females. Eggs of mud daubers are laid singly on hosts in cells in mud nests provisioned with food, sealed and abandoned. Larvae grow up to 1 inch long and are cream-colored, legless and maggot-like. They pupate in cocoons within the cells and overwinter in nests. There can be several generations annually.
Mud daubers (Sphecidae) build small nests of mud under overhangs like eaves of buildings. The pipe organ mud dauber, Trypoxylon politum (Say) mud nests of long parallel tubes and provision their nests with spiders. The black and yellow mud dauber, Sceliphron caementarium (Drury), constructs a globular nest containing one cell to several cells, also provisioned with paralyzed spiders. Adults are commonly seen in wet spots, balls of mud for building their nests. The iridescent blue mud dauber, Chalybion californicum (Saussure), takes over nests of the black and yellow mud dauber. It provisions its nest mostly with black widow spiders.
Mud daubers (Sphecidae) and potter or mason wasps (Eumeninae) are solitary wasp species; although capable of stinging, they are rarely aggressive. Mud dauber nests can be a nuisance in garages, under eaves and in other buildings.
Mud dauber nests are constructed of mud or clay and often are found attached to the walls or under the eves of buildings. When emergence holes are present in nests, the wasps have completed their life cycle and no longer are present. These nests should be removed by scrapping with putty knife and discarded or use these products: cobweb and mud nest preventer. to prevent re-formation.
Nests without holes can be removed and crushed or treated with an insecticide, EcoPCO JETX Wasp & Hornet Jet Aerosol . The destruction of nests discourages infestations by dermestid beetles and other insect scavengers which could move to other household items. If the problem is in a non-living area like sheds or attics. Vapor Strips will keep them in check.
Paper or Umbrella Wasps
Polistes fuscatus
Paper wasps are 3/4 inch to 1 inch (2-2.5 cm)-long wasps that gather fibers from dead wood and plant stems, which they mix with saliva, and use to construct water-resistant nests that appear to be made of gray or brown papery material. Paper wasps are also sometimes called umbrella wasps, due to the distinctive design of their nests.
Paper wasps are members of the family Vespidae (which also includes yellowjackets and hornets), and belong to the subfamily Polistinae, but often colloquially includes members of the subfamilies Vespinae and Stenogastrinae, which also make nests out of paper. Twenty-two species of polistine paper wasps have been identified in North America and approximately 700 species have been identified world-wide. Most paper wasps live in the western hemisphere sub-tropics. The nests of most true paper wasps are characterized by having open combs with cells for brood rearing, and a petiole, or constricted stalk, that anchors the nest. Paper wasps secrete a chemical which repels ants, which they spread around the base of the anchor to prevent the loss of eggs or brood.
Most social wasps of the family Vespidae make nests from paper; although some tropical wasp species, such as Liostenogaster flavolineata, use mud. A small group of eusocial crabronid wasps, of the genus Microstigmus (the only wasps outside the family Vespidae), also construct nests out of chewed plant fibers, though the nest consistency is quite different from those of true paper wasps, due to the absence of wood fibers, and the use of silk to bind the fibers.
Unlike yellowjackets and hornets, which can be very defensive, paper wasps will generally only attack if the nest is threatened. Since their territoriality can lead to attacks on persons, and because their stings are quite painful and can produce a potentially fatal anaphylactic reaction in some individuals, nests in human-inhabited areas may present an unacceptable hazard.
Most wasps are beneficial in their natural habitat, and are critically important in natural biocontrol.Paper wasps feed on nectar, and other insects, including caterpillars, flies and beetle larvae, and they are often considered to be beneficial by gardeners.
Yellow Jackets
Yellowjackets feed on insects, spiders and a wide variety of other food items. They are medium-sized, stout-bodied, and black with bright yellow bands. Yellow-jackets construct globular paper nests, usually in underground cavities. Favorite nesting times include rodent burrows, compost piles and wall voids.
Occasionally these wasps build aerial nests in garages, crawl spaces or other enclosed areas. Nests are built of paper made by stripping wood fibers from trees, fences, garden stakes and other wooden structures. The combs are built in tiers and are surrounded by an outer paper covering.
When yellowjackets are disturbed, give them plenty of room since they are capable of inflicting painful, multiple stings. If yellowjackets become excited and appear about to attack, do not panic. Make no sudden movements and retreat slowly and calmly from the area.
Yellowjackets are scavengers and frequently are found foraging around compost piles and garbage receptacles. Their activity can be discouraged in the vicinity of patios, parks, picnic and other recreational areas by covering all food and disposing of waste in covered containers.
Turning compost piles regularly and placing insecticide-impregnated resin strips in the lids of garbage cans and dumpsters will help reduce the numbers of yellow-jackets in these areas. Yellowjackets are highly attracted to overripe fruit. Prompt removal of fallen fruit should help reduce the attractiveness.
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Insect Info
