Wasp life history. Wasps first appeared in the fossil record in the Jurassic, and diversified into many surviving superfamilies by the Cretaceous. You’ll often spot them foraging on dandelions, clover, flowering herbs, citrus trees, desert blooms, and backyard gardens. Many species of wasps look like bees, and both wasps and bees are important pollinators that can cause a painful sting. Their scientific name, “ aurifer, ” also alludes to this coloration and is Latin for “gold-bearer. ” Queens start new nests in the late winter or spring. Typically, wasps have a slender, smooth body with a narrow waist, a pair of membranous wings, and six spindly legs. Las Vegas residents must know these wasps to protect their loved ones from potential stings. Aug 10, 2025 · The social wasps are confined to about 1,000 species within the family Vespidae (superfamily Vespoidea) and include the hornets and yellow jackets (yellowjackets). Feb 17, 2025 · There are two main types of wasps: solitary wasps and social wasps. They don't build large Honey bees are the stars of the show here in Las Vegas. Explore their various types of wasp and learn more about their habitats, behaviors, and diets in this informative guide. They differ from other wasp families in having their wings folded longitudinally when at rest. They’re important for pollinating our desert. Yellow jackets are the most notorious wasps in Las Vegas. Unlike bees, which are generally stocky and covered with hair, wasps possess slender, elongated bodies with a characteristic narrow waist (petiole). Solitary wasps, such as mud daubers and cicada killer wasps, are rarely a problem for people. Wasps first appeared in the fossil record in the Jurassic, and diversified into many surviving superfamilies by the Cretaceous. Las Vegas has several types of wasps, each with unique characteristics and behaviors. These wasps get their name from their unusual coloration, a softer golden yellow rather than the bright yellow of many other wasp species. They are a successful and diverse group of insects with tens of thousands of described species; wasps have spread to all parts of the world except for the polar regions. . Jan 24, 2023 · Wasps are small, flying insects that usually have an identifiable black body with yellow bands. Easy Wasp Identification: A Visual Guide to 19 Common Types of Wasps Wasps get a bad rap as unwanted picnic guests and unrelenting stingers, but did you know the majority of them aren’t aggressive at all? Sep 11, 2025 · A wasp is any insect that belongs to the suborder Apocrita within the order Hymenoptera, excluding bees and ants. These hardworking pollinators aren’t just busy making honey. wjjohdu a3k cwyi bby6m m82iwad uxk ferz pcml0 1l1 zg6yh