Biology and behavior of stinging insect pests

Social wasps, including paper wasps (Polistes spp.), yellowjackets (Vespidae) and bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata), play vital ecological roles as pollinators and natural predators of pests such as flies, caterpillars and spiders. However, their stings can cause reactions ranging from mild irritation to severe, life-threatening allergies. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (U.S.) (2023), hornet, wasp and bee stings resulted in 59 to 89 deaths annually between 2011 and 2021, underscoring the need for effective and safe pest management.

Social wasps exhibit a well-defined annual lifecycle. In spring, fertilized queens emerge from hibernation, establish nests and rear the first generation of workers. Through summer, the colony rapidly expands as workers forage and maintain the nest.

By autumn, new queens and males are produced; after mating, only fertilized queens survive winter in protected overwintering sites. These wasps construct paper-like nests, engage in trophallaxis (food exchange between larvae and adults), and maintain complex social colonies with a clear division of labor (Richards 1971).

In contrast, ground-nesting solitary wasps and bees do not form communal nests. Each female independently builds and provisions her nest — wasps with paralyzed prey, bees with nectar and pollen — before laying eggs. Larvae develop within these nests, pupate and emerge as adults. Males generally die soon after mating.

Most solitary wasps overwinter as pre-pupae, while solitary bees typically overwinter as larvae or eggs, with some species surviving as adults. Their lifecycle usually spans one season, with peak activity in spring and again in mid to late summer (O’Neill 2001; Malyshev 1936).

Wasps sting primarily in defense. Unlike honey bees, which leave their stingers embedded in the skin, wasps can sting multiple times. If attacked, individuals should remain calm, protect their faces, and move toward others to confuse the insects and increase the chance of escape. Avoid jumping into the water, as wasps can sting above the surface.

Understanding these biological and behavioral traits is essential for pest management professionals. This knowledge allows precise timing for inspections and treatments, improving control success and minimizing risks. Early intervention can halt colony growth, while awareness of overwintering habits helps detect hidden nests and avoid ineffective treatments.

References

Malyshev, S. I. (1936). The nesting habits of solitary bees: A comparative study. Eos, 11, 201–309.

National Center for Health Statistics (U.S.). (2023). QuickStats: Number of deaths from hornet, wasp, and bee stings among males and females — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2011–2021. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(27), 756.

O’Neill, K. M. (2001). Solitary Wasps: Natural History and Behavior. Cornell University Press.

Richards, O. W. (1971). The biology of the social wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Biological Reviews, 46(4), 483–528.