Types of Wasp Nests

The terms hornet and wasp can be very confusing since frequently used common or colloquial names are inaccurate. So, we must first define what insects are really hornets and wasps. Scientists classify insects into various species, and in fact, the only true species of true hornet in the U.S. is the European or brown hornet.

Cicada Killer Wasps belong to the family Crabronidae Latreille, 1802; the tribe Bembicini Latreille, 1802 and the genus Sphecius Dahlbom, 1843 2. Crabronidae comes from the Latin word for hornet, Bembicini comes from the Greek word for buzzing insect, and Sphecius is from the Greek word for wasp.

Paper wasps can and will sting in defense of their nest, or when threatened. Unlike honeybees, which have barbed stings and can only sting once, paper wasps can sting multiple times. A paper wasp can call other colony members using alarm pheromones, chemical messages that tell other wasps to help defend the nest from a threat.

Yellow Jackets are of the Vespula species and are social wasps. Several thousand workers can be produced in a colony in one season. Types of Yellow Jackets and Yellow Jacket Nests. Yellow Jackets are of the Vespula species and are social wasps. Several thousand workers can be produced in a colony in one season.