Although they belong to the same order (Hymenoptera) and sub-order (Apocrita), wasps are genetically distinct from bees, as well as their distant ant and sawfly cousins.  Wasps have diverged from bees in terms of their feeding habits, level of aggression, physiology, habitat construction, and defense mechanisms, among other things. Several species are known to parasitize insects and larvae as part of their reproductive cycle. Most Wasp species are in the family Vespidae, which includes common wasps such as yellow jackets, daubers and hornets.