10 Types of Wasps: Fierce but Not Always Threatening

Yellow jackets belong primarily to the genus Vespula, though some also belong to the genus Dolichovespula. They are perhaps the most well-known — and least liked — wasps in North America.

These social wasps are highly territorial and build yellow jacket nests underground, often in abandoned rodent burrows or wall voids. Some Vespula species even create wasp nests in tree trunks and other hidden cavities.

Their black and yellow bands or yellow markings serve as a warning: They can sting repeatedly and may become aggressive, especially when defending a nest. Worker wasps in these colonies defend the single nest with vigor.

Yellow jackets are drawn to sugary substances, which is why they tend to crash picnics.

With their signature umbrella-shaped nests, paper wasps are a common sight under eaves and in tree branches.

These social insects include several species such as the European paper wasp (Polistes dominula, an introduced species now widespread across North America) and native species like Polistes fuscatus.

While their sting can be painful, paper wasps are generally not aggressive and typically sting only when their nest is threatened. They're actually considered beneficial insects because they feed on crop-eating insects and other pests.

Paper wasp species chew wood fibers to construct aerial paper nests, often near a suitable nest site. Other paper wasps may vary in appearance but share similar nesting habits.

Don’t let the name scare you: Cicada killer wasps are solitary wasps that rarely sting humans.

Female cicada killer wasps (Sphecius speciosus) hunt cicadas, paralyze them and drag them to underground burrows to provide food for their larvae. A female wasp will lay eggs on the paralyzed cicada, giving her larvae a protein-rich feast.

Their nesting habits often lead them to sunny areas with loose soil, and they’re more interested in cicadas than you. These wasps also help regulate populations of noisy cicadas.

Mud daubers are solitary insects that construct nests out of — you guessed it — mud.

A female mud dauber builds tubular mud nests on tree trunks, walls or other structures. A female mud dauber will seal off each chamber with mud, forming distinct compartments for her young. Once the nest is complete, she’ll hunt spiders, stash them inside and lay eggs.

While mud daubers typically build their own nests, some species have been observed reusing or modifying abandoned nests, although this is not the norm.

Unlike social wasps, mud daubers are not aggressive and rarely sting. These wasps are excellent at controlling spider populations.

Despite the name, bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) are aerial yellow jackets, not true hornets of the genus Vespa.

These large wasps build aerial nests high in trees or on structures. Their black-and-white coloration and large size make them look intimidating, and they can deliver a painful sting.

Still, they help control populations of other insects, and their nests — though temporary — can house hundreds of adult wasps. They are considered native species in many parts of North America.

The European hornet (Vespa crabro) is a non-native species introduced to North America in the 1800s and now established in parts of the eastern United States. The insect is known for its size and loud buzz.

Unlike many species of wasps, they are active at night and can be found around porch lights. They nest in hollow trees or tree cavities and are social wasps with structured wasp colonies.

Though they can sting repeatedly, they are rarely aggressive unless their nest is threatened. They feed on other insects and flower nectar and will sometimes strip bark from trees.

These glittery, metallic green or blue wasps are among the most eye-catching. Cuckoo wasps are solitary and don’t build their own nests. Instead, they lay eggs in the nests of other wasp species or bees. Think of them as the insect world's sneaky freeloaders.

Their nesting strategy makes them an unusual example of parasitic behavior among insect species. Cuckoo wasps are an excellent example of how not all wasps follow the norms of nest construction or colony behavior.

Thread-waisted wasps are easy to identify by their long, narrow waist and are often found hunting beetle grubs or caterpillars. These solitary wasps often nest in sandy soil, tree cavities or other concealed locations.

Like cicada killers, they lay eggs on paralyzed prey. Some are even seen hovering near flowers, feeding on flower nectar. These wasps help reduce populations of crop-eating insects and are often mistaken for more aggressive species.

Potter wasps get their name from the pot-shaped mud nests they construct, usually on plant stems or sheltered structures. These nests look like tiny clay jars, each housing a single egg and a paralyzed insect.

Like many solitary insects, potter wasps are beneficial insects and are rarely aggressive. They play a valuable role in controlling other insects that damage plants. A potter wasp's sting is typically mild, and they are less likely to defend their nest.

Known formally as the Asian giant hornet, the murder hornet made headlines for its potential threat to honey bees and its powerful, painful sting.

Asian giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia) can form large colonies and will defend their nests aggressively, making them the most dangerous wasp in the world. Their large mandibles allow them to decapitate bees, making them a significant threat to pollinator populations.

Fortunately, they have not established widespread nests in North America, but scientists continue to monitor for this and other wasp species.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.