Читать книгу Beekeeping For Dummies - Howland Blackiston - Страница 73

Many different kinds of insects are called wasps. The more familiar of these are distinguished by their smooth, hard bodies (usually brown or black) and distinctive ultra-thin wasp waist (see Figure 2-18). Social wasps build exposed paper nests, which usually are rather small and contain only a handful of adults and brood. There are no food stores. These nests sometimes are located where we’d rather not have them (in a door frame or windowsill). The slightest disturbance can lead to defensive behavior and stings. Social wasps primarily are meat eaters, but adult wasps are attracted to sweets. Note that wasps and hornets have smooth stingers (no barbs) and can inflict their fury over and over again. Ouch!

Courtesy of www.crownbees.com

FIGURE 2-17: A commercially available mason-bee nest.

Courtesy of Dr. Edward Ross, California Academy of Sciences

FIGURE 2-18: The wasp is clearly identified by its smooth, hairless body and narrow wasp waist.