Most wasp species are considered beneficial insects since they kill numerous flies, caterpillars, beetle larvae and other insects which are pests in urban and agricultural ecosystems. However, because of their propensity to nest near urban structures and their stinging ability, most people consider wasps to be a nuisance. There are some 4,000 species of stinging wasps in the United States alone, and about 15,000 in the world. Most are solitary and inoffensive insects that use their sting to paralyze their insect and other small prey.
Some wasps are social insects.
That is, they live together in communities where they share food and cooperate in raising young. Other wasps are solitary and do not collaborate in this way. Each female makes a nest of some sort for her own young. She may nest close to others of her species, but except in rare cases she works alone. In this publication we will discuss only those wasp species that are problems around structures and other places people are likely to frequent.