Wasps in Florida chip in to the state ’s full-bodied biodiversity , presenting a fascinating array of species with divers characteristics and behaviors . From the elegant paper wasps to the redoubtable excavator wasps , Florida hosts a vivacious population of these insect , playing vital office in the ecosystem .
Let ’s research the world of wasps thriving in Florida ’s diverse habitats through the clause below .
Different Types of Wasps in Florida
Larra Bicolor
Originating in South America , the Larra bicolor wasp was play to Florida to act as a biologic pest deterrent against encroaching mole cricket . When they are adults , they prefer the shrubby false buttonweed nectar to feed on . By prick mole crickets , females immobilize them and lay their nut on them . After hatching , larvae eat their host .
Introduced following the 1978 Bachelor of Arts in Nursing on Chlordane , this non - belligerent species successfully manages mole cricket population in Florida and surround states .
Ringed Paper Wasp
With their huge red and pitch-dark bodies , Ringed Paper Wasps ( Polistes annularis ) are a common sight in the eastern United States . They build up their nest beneath overhangs airless to pee sources . They have brilliant orange antennal segment and a characteristic yellow ring at the end of the first abdominal section . They eat mostly nectar and insects .
They are usually found near water system and like sheltered spots next to stony cliffs . They can be found in shrub , trees , and gentleman - made structures .
Great Golden Digger Wasp
The Great Golden Digger Wasp ( Sphex ichneumoneus ) is by and large non - aggressive , center on nectar consumption from flowers . female meticulously dig out cryptical tunnels in loose soil for nesting , prey on belittled insect to purvey each sleeping room . They sting and carry the quarry to the nest , lay orchis on them before sealing the chamber .
Despite their beauty withorange and black food colouring , their nests often attract skirt predators .
Four-Toothed Mason Wasp
The Four - Toothed Mason Wasp ( Monobia quadridens ) is a solitary potter wasp with a wingspread of 0.71 inches ( 18 mm ) , often feeding on pollen and smallcaterpillars .
sport black stomach with wide ivory bands , female person possess stingers , while males can birth a painful phonograph needle slit without spite . Interestingly , Male lack stingers and instead use the tips of their abdomens .
Caribbean Scoliid Wasp
Dielis dorsata , also jazz as the Caribbean Scoliid Wasp , was bring to Florida in the thirties to wipe out sugar cane pests . It is now an essential tool for control whitened grubs in sward and sugar cane care .
They sting larvae and lay their eggs within them , ready them epenthetic on scarab beetle . They were chiefly constitute in the counties of Miami - Dade , Greater Tampa , and Osceola ; they are prominently absent from Palm Beach County .
Slosson’s Mason Wasp
Slosson ’s Mason Wasp ( Zethus slossonae ) , discover after Annie Turnbull Slosson , is a edged Vespidae white Anglo-Saxon Protestant found in Florida , Orlando , and the Keys . Females stock their nests withcaterpillarsfor larvae .
adorn in striking red , yellow , and pitch-dark , they make for an oculus - catching heap .
Common Thread-Waisted Wasp
The Common Thread - Waisted Wasp ( Ammophila procera ) has a glossy black body with a red or orangish band that is distinctively located near its tiny waist . Its waist is narrow . These ambush predators use their con to immobilize their prey , which they then use their strong jaws to drag to their underground burrows .
They provide bread and butter for the larvae by laying a single egg on the paralyzed insect . They are not red , but if they are bothered , they might sting defensively .
Ammophila Pictipennis
Ammophila pictipennis , an eastern coinage , sport smart orangish wings without silver thorax markings . Often spotted on field prime , they feed on nectar and are most prevalent in summer .
As parasitoids of caterpillar , they lie eggs in shallow nest alongside target , allowing larvae to consume cat upon hatching .
Nearctic Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp
The Nearctic Blue Mud - Dauber Wasp ( Chalybion californicum ) lark about a metallic blue hue and preys on venomousblack widow woman spiders . female construct nest , often freshen up give up 1 , while male miss stingers . Non - belligerent , females sting defensively .
Adults pollinate wildflower while feeding on nectar , while larvae feed on wanderer , with female hunting spiders for nest provisioning , often under rocks or on the ground .
Eastern Yellowjacket
Eastern Yellowjackets ( Vespula maculifrons ) are vernacular in eastern North America , favoring recreational sphere and man - made structures for nest edifice . extremely societal , they form large colonies and ferociously defend their nests . Recognizable by their contraband and chickenhearted scoring , they construct nests from worn Sir Henry Joseph Wood , reaching up to 11.8 column inch in diameter .
Often incur in urban , suburban , and forested areas , they prefer sheltered locations like attics and tree stump .
Bahamian Paper Wasp
The Bahamian Paper Wasp ( Polistes bahamensis ) sport a lily-livered position on its back and a distinct chickenhearted marker on the mesosoma . ab initio record in Florida in the thirties , they ’ve since spread from Florida to Louisiana , establish nest throughout the region , though they can be challenging to place .
Metallic Bluish-Green Cuckoo Wasp
During World War II , the encroaching parasite Chrysis angolensis , also know as the metal bluish - green goose white Anglo-Saxon Protestant , was brought to North America . Its thorax , head , and body are metallically plat in blue to green semblance . While females have three abdominal segments , male person have four .
These wasps have three smaller eyes place in a triangle and huge eyes on the sides of their heads .
Four-Banded Stink Bug Wasp
The Four - BandedStink BugWasp ( Bicyrtes quadrifasciatus ) reaches distance of 19 mm and frequents flowers for foraging . Females immobilize truebugsto cater their nest .
These tidy gumption wasps are usual inFlorida , boast a solid black exoskeleton crustal plate on the upper side of the mesonotum . Their black abdomen bears distinctive markings , with females displaying four duet of spots and males five , forming busted banding .
With clear forewings and yellow legs , they ’re well identifiable .
Horse’s Paper Wasp
The knight ’s paper white Anglo-Saxon Protestant ( genus Polistes major ) is a sizable insect reach up to 0.87 inch ( 22 mm ) long , tout a 1.8 inch ( 45 mm ) wingspread .
gambol yellow bodies with brown patterns , they manufacture nests from chewed wood take shape open comb housing numerous cell . These nests , about 19 atomic number 96 all-embracing , are commonly sight under window frames , ceiling , branches , leaves , laurel wreath frond , and bridges .
Hunter’s Little Paper Wasp
The Hunter ’s Little Paper Wasp ( Polistes dorsalis ) is a petite specie featuring a distinctive exoskeleton with a black and yellow carapace - like shell and elongate antennae .
prefer secluded stain , they construct their nests in rock piles , hollow log , and low - lying sites . In urban setting , they often draw close beneath cap edge or within shrubbery , crafting compact home accommodating up to 75 adult white Anglo-Saxon Protestant .
Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp
The Feather - Legged Scoliid Wasp ( Dielis plumipes ) reaches approximately 25 mm in length , boasting striking yellow-bellied or emollient / clean abdominal band . Male disport longer antennae than females .
Despite their beauty , they are teachable and solitary insects , adept at controlling nuisance mallet . Acting as efficient pollinators , their feather limbs collect pollen while they oscillate from flower to flower , seek sweet nectar .
Metric Paper Wasp
The Metric Paper Wasp ( Polistes metricus ) exhibits a disconsolate rusty hue with black thorax scoring , while its abdomen is predominantly black with yellow tarsi . Females exhibit more rust-brown - red coloration on the head and mesosoma , with limited chicken markings , whereas males sport less red and more black , with additional sensationalistic .
They meticulously select shelter nesting sites in barn , sheds , and under eaves , often near urine sources for hydration .
Mexican Paper Wasp
Mexican Paper Wasps ( Mischocyttarus mexicanus ) feature distinctive crooked internal and external lobe on their tarsal bone segment and sharp secondary margin on their pronotum . Males are identifiable by their short , thick antennae .
Sporting shades of orange to lily-livered , they frequent cabbage decoration , oak Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , Spanish moss , and human - made construction for nesting .
Red-Marked Pachodynerus Wasp
The Red - Marked Pachodynerus Wasp ( Pachodynerus erynnis ) exhibits similar colouration between males and females , tell apart by a snowy to yellow pentangular spot on the male ’s face and red color on the female person ’s head .
These pollinating insects provender on flower nectar and construct nests from dry grease and saliva , forming mud structures . They ’re skilful at burrow through mortar between brick to create good havens for their offspring .
Southern Yellowjacket
The Southern Yellowjacket ( Vespula squamosa ) is a distinctive social white Anglo-Saxon Protestant recognized by its black and yellow markings , with an orange poof . grow to about 0.5 column inch ( 1.3 cm ) in length , tabby are larger with orange coloring .
Their nests , found in various habitat including parking area , roadsides , yards , and pine tree forests , consist of chewed veg character and can house colony of up to 450,000 cells . The largest report nest measured 45 inches ( 114.3 cm ) in diam and contained 39 cones .
Noble Scoliid Wasp
The Noble Scoliid Wasp ( Scolia nobilitata ) is a solitary mallet hunter , with females digging in soil to find prey . These small wasps , measure out half an inch , feature red legs and dark wing . Females display up to three yellow or orange spots on their abdomens , while male typically have yellow banding .
Yellow-Legged Mud-Dauber Wasp
The xanthous - Legged Mud - Dauber Wasp ( Sceliphron caementarium ) reaches lengths of up to 1.10 inches ( 28 mm ) with distinct yellow markings on its chest and legs . Solitary in nature , they construct their nest from clay , often in shaded country for shelter .
These wasps , uniquely marked with yellow peg , are commonly happen in various natural and valet - made structures like bridges , barn , service department , and home eaves .
Three-Banded Scoliid Wasp
The Three - Banded Scoliid Wasp ( Dielis trifasciata ) place upright out with its vivid yellowness to orange stripes , peculiarly detectable in the three bands on females ’ stomach . Both sexuality get hold of about 15 mm in distance , sporting a consistent color and shape .
These robust wasps are parasitoids , target land - consist scarab mallet larvae . Males typically vaporize near the ground , while females land to excavate with their mandibula .
Dark Paper Wasp
Dark Paper Wasps ( Polistes fuscatus ) are prevailing in woodlands , savannah , and human surroundings with exposed woodwind . Growing up to 21 mm , they sport a slender habitus with dark cerise / browned chromaticity and yellow banding . Their pointed heads and curving antennae tips ( in males ) distinguish them .
While mainly feeding on plant nectar , they ’re also insectivores , preying on caterpillar and other small insects .
Guinea Paper Wasp
Guinea Paper Wasps ( Polistes exclamans ) exhibit yellow markings , particularly on their head , and regal - colored wings . Their antennae feature typical stripe of yellow , black , and red . Females boast a fore-wing distance of up to 16.5 mm , while males traverse 15 millimeter .
Notably , these wasps are renowned for take shape artificial satellite nests , with up to 39 percent plant between May and July , wherein the queen regnant relocate up to 11 meters from the original nest .
Polistes Bellicosus
Polistes bellicosus male and females showcase lemon yellow abdominal segment , with females distinguished by a central longitudinal smuggled line on the mesothorax . Male cavort two longitudinal lines on the mesothorax sides . Both genders expose yellow mandibles .
Utilizing little fiber from weather forest , they craft newspaper for nest , constrict it with their mandibles into electric cell plane . Nest openings are positioned at the bottom .
Eastern Cicada-Killer Wasp
The Eastern Cicada - Killer Wasp ( Sphecius speciosus ) is a sizeable solitary digger belong to the Crabronidae family unit , often mistaken for hornets . Growing up to 2 inches ( 5 cm ) , they sport red and black hairy midsections with bleak to red / brown abdomens sport light xanthous streak .
With dark-brown wings , they prefer well - drained sandy soils and nest in various locations , including window box , planters , and flower beds .
Fraternal Potter Wasp
Female Fraternal Potter Wasps ( Eumenes fraternus ) fabricate small mud toilet , each check an nut and a live cat for larvae nourishment , varnish them with lids before prompt on to create more .
With a prospicient , lithesome first abdominal section , they reach up to 0.8 inches ( 20 mm ) in length , showcasing black bodies with ivory markings . Their fore-wing span up to 12.5 millimetre in female and 10.5 millimeter in males .
Large Four-Spotted Scoliid Wasp
The Large Four - Spotted Scoliid Wasp ( Pygodasis quadrimaculata ) reach lengths of 35 mm , featuring distinct markings on the female venter – four orangish spots . Males expose a variable pattern , often with two to three sensationalistic spot and/or banding . Their black wooden leg and unparalleled wing vena patterns further characterize them .
Blue-Eyed Ensign Wasp
As a member of the Evaniidae kin , the Blue - Eyed Ensign Wasp ( Evania appendigaster ) is endemic to Asia , though its accurate range is unnamed . With a 7 mm fore wingspan , they are one of the largest ensign wasps that specialize in parasitizing roach ball .
Sporting black body and come upon blue eye , they ’re characterized by a constricted abdominal petiole held in a flag - comparable stead , evocative of an national flag .
Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp
The two - espy scoliid white Anglo-Saxon Protestant , also known as the blue - fly scoliid white Anglo-Saxon Protestant ( Scolia dubia ) , grows to a maximal sizing of 1.0 inch ( 2.5 cm ) . They have two segment of the abdomen , a red abdomen with two yellow dots on the third , and opprobrious heads and thoraxes .
They consume flower nectar while pilot on blue - bootleg wings . The female person are skilled at explore the earth for beetle grubs and stinging them before cover to burrow until they reach a cubicle large enough to lay ball .
Fine-Backed Red Paper Wasp
The Fine - plunk for Red Paper Wasp ( Polistes carolina ) has ignominious wings that can grow up to 32 millimeter in distance with a reddish - brown colour . They are screw to build nests closelipped to masses , even under residential roofs , and they prefer protective locations such as hollow tree .
Golden-Reined Digger Wasp
The distaff Golden - Reined Digger Wasp ( Sphex habenus ) is slightly smaller , measure out about 25 mm , compared to the male ’s 29 mm maximal length . They have a dark abdomen with golden highlighting on the face and thorax . From midsummer until spill , they are frequently get wind in champaign , sucking ambrosia from flowers .
Double-Banded Scoliid Wasp
The eubstance length of twice - band scoliid white Anglo-Saxon Protestant ( Scolia bicincta ) can reach 25 millimetre . These average - sized white Anglo-Saxon Protestant have two creamy white ring on their abdomens and are hairy and black . In late June , they are frequently observed on blooms in field .
Great Black Digger Wasp
Male Great Black Digger Wasps ( Sphex pensylvanicus ) are slightly smaller than females , with a maximum distance of 1.4 inches ( 35 mm ) . Although not very impregnable , its sting can make you tumesce . Their wings have a smoky tint and a black coloring .
Keyhole Wasp
One sting member of the Vespidae family that was convey to North America was the Keyhole Wasp ( Pachodynerus nasidens ) . They are known to be a concern to air power and are draw to aircraft Pitot tube tubes for nesting .
They visit goldenrod , swampland titi , and shrubby false buttonweed during the daylight and drink their ambrosia .
Zeta Argillaceum
Due to unintentional introduction , Zeta argillaceum , aspecies of potter wasp , has become far-flung in the southern United States and thrives in a mixture of options , include cities . They build nests in clusters on progress walls , each with a single entrance hollow .
Zethus Spinipes
Zethus spinipes is a stick wasp that belongs to the Vespidae syndicate and is oftentimes seen in flower - rich area such as fields and meadows .
Their front wingspan is 14 millimetre , and they can turn up to 15 mm in length . They frequently forage during the day at gulf croton , recently - blossom agueweed , and blaze stars .
Gold-Marked Thread-Waisted Wasp
With a waist like a thread , the Gold - Marked Thread - Waisted Wasp ( Eremnophila aureonotata ) can get to a maximal length of 22 mm . Their propodeum and thorax have region of silver gray to gold , and their black physical structure reflect blue twinkle .
Often observed in former fields and the security deposit of forests , they often visitwildflowersin search of nectar . While they down a potpourri of insects , their larva have a predilection for Notodontidaemoths .
Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp
At 5.1 cm in duration , the Organ - Pipe Mud - DauberWaspis a fearsome piranha . Male and female person , who are fighting from May to September , have glossyblack soundbox and pallid jaundiced to whiterear legs .
Their principal dieting isspiders , and they construct their nest in Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree hole or beneath bridges . When building , they wish placid vertical surfaces , tincture , and closeness to mud , and they seem for shelter from the rain .
Jamaican Digger Wasp
With its blackened wings and rusty Orange River people of color , the Jamaican Digger Wasp ( Sphex jamaicensis ) is acommon wad in South Floridafarms and park .
Warmer climates are idealistic for these lone white Anglo-Saxon Protestant , who grind underground nests to lay eggs , protect their youthful , and feast on heyday .
Rusty Spider Wasp
The large Rusty Spider Wasp ( Tachypompilus ferrugineus ) has iridescent blue to violet wings and a reddish - orange body . They paralyze their prey by feeding on giant spiders , which they then take to their nest to feed their young .
These wasps , which can hit a maximal size of 25 millimetre , do not pose a threat to human and are oftentimes seen consuming ambrosia from flowers or excavate nests while carrying larger spiders .
