Do you have hornets or wasps? This can become a confusing question to many because most assume they are the same type of stinging pest. Many will use either name or term to describe this unwanted pest. However the term wasp and hornets are used to describe two classifications of a similar insect. To help solve this problem, Knock Em Out Pest Control will share the difference of the two terms used to classify these two different species of stinging pests.
Wasps
There are around 18000 species of wasp in North America. All wasps share a similar appearance. They have a slender thin body that becomes narrower at the waist and have a shiny body. Some of the more commonly known wasps are the Yellow Jacket, Paper Wasp— and believe it or not—the Bald Face Hornet is technically a species of wasp. Wasps vary in coloring but they all have two pairs of wings. Wasps also have a venomous sting, which is designed to defend their nest from various threats. Queen wasps have an ovipositor, or in other words, a long tube like structure that develops so they can lay their eggs. Wasps often affect humans due to their habit of building their nest near or on human structures. Wasps are very protective of their nest. They will aggressively defend it. The nest of the different species of wasps can vary in size, but most will build a pear shape nest that looks paper-like in texture. Wasps often build their nest in more open areas where they can be easily seen, but often they prefer higher ground. Another major difference of the wasp is their dietary preference. Wasps will feed on other insects. However they much prefer to feed on plants and nectar.
Hornets
A hornet is an offshoot from the wasp. Hornets are larger than wasps and are somewhat similar in body shape. Despite the similarity, their abdomens are more circular and fuller in shape but they still maintain a slender waist. However the taxonomically of wasps are more diverse than hornets. Another unique trait that hornets have is that their heads behind their eyes become wider, where the head of a wasp is wide at the eye and points inwards. This may be why hornets aren’t attracted to light whereas wasps will fly toward lamps and any other nearby light at night. Hornets are more venomous than wasps as well. In fact, the Asian Giant Hornet is the most venomous hornet species in the world where they can easily kill a full grown man with only a few stings. Since the hornet is much larger, their nest has the tendency to be much larger than a wasp nest. Hornets will also choose to build their nest under shelter or more hidden areas. Hornets are also strictly insectivores. This means they only will feed on other insects versus the wasp that can feed on insects as well but prefers to feed on vegetation. Where Hornets are an offshoot of the wasp, they are actually a separate species.
Stinging Insect Control in Lansing, Michigan
Knock ‘Em Out Pest Control hopes we were able to clarify the difference between a wasp and a hornet. As their difference may seem minor, they are a separate species of insect. If your home or yard has wasps or hornets buzzing around, you can contact Knock ‘Em Out Pst Control. We can help clear away these stinging pests.
