Black and white wasps are a fascinating group of insects that can be found across North America. While many people are familiar with the black and yellow patterns of wasps like yellowjackets, seeing a wasp with stark black and white coloring can be surprising In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common black and white wasps found in North America, what makes them unique, and how to identify them
Why Such Dramatic Coloring?
The bold black and white patterns seen on these wasps serve an important purpose. They act as warning colors, advertising to potential predators that the wasp can deliver a painful sting This coloration is known as aposematic coloration. The contrast makes them highly visible, while also signaling danger.
Distinguishing Features
While often grouped together for their color patterns, black and white wasps actually belong to several different families and genera. However, some common features can help distinguish them:
- Black bodies with white, gray, or silvery markings
- Markings often on the face, thorax, abdomen, legs and antennae
- Longer, skinnier bodies compared to other wasps
- Some have a constricted ‘waist’ between thorax and abdomen
- Many have banded antennae
- Wings are often smoky black or brown
Danger to Humans
The stings of most black and white wasps are comparable to bee and yellowjacket stings – painful, but not medically significant for most people. People with allergies can experience severe reactions. Those who accidentally disturb a nest may face multiple stings, requiring medical attention.
Common Types of Black and White Wasps
Below are 14 of the most common black and white wasps found in North America:
1. Bald-Faced Hornet
Scientific Name: Dolichovespula maculata
The bald-faced hornet gets its name from the striking white face on an otherwise black body. They build large paper nests high in trees and will aggressively defend the nest if disturbed.
2. Four-Toothed Mason Wasp
Scientific Name: Monobia quadridens
As the name suggests, this wasp has four sharp mandibles. It is mostly black with white abdominal bands and looks similar to a large fly. The females can give a painful sting.
3. Fraternal Potter Wasp
Scientific Name: Eumenes fraternus
These wasps construct mud nests that resemble miniature pots to lay their eggs in. They are blackish-brown with ivory markings and have a distinctive elongated, rounded abdomen.
4. Double-Banded Scoliid Wasp
Scientific Name: Scolia bicincta
This wasp has two broad white bands across its otherwise black abdomen. It is a pollinator species and females have a retractable stinger.
5. Patchwork Mortar Wasp
Scientific Name: Pseudodynerus quadrisectus
As the name suggests, this solitary wasp has patchwork black and white markings, including four prominent parallel lines along the abdomen. It builds mud nest chambers.
6. Megaera Mason Wasp
Scientific Name: Euodynerus megaera
This mason wasp has extensive white markings on a black background, particularly two bands across the abdomen and a stripe behind the head. It is a pollen feeder.
7. American Sand Wasp
Scientific Name: Bembix americana
Found in sandy areas, this wasp has a striped black and white abdomen and large conspicuous eyes. Unlike others, its wings are light brown and it cannot sting.
8. Blackjacket
Scientific Name: Vespula consobrina
Common in North America, this wasp lives in large underground colonies. It has variable white markings on a black background and reddish-brown legs.
9. Bidens Potter Wasp
Scientific Name: Euodynerus bidens
Males of this species are small (14mm) while females reach 17mm. It has thick white abdominal bands. Found in the southeastern United States, it feeds on the pollen of rue herbs.
10. Sabre Wasp
Scientific Name: Rhyssa persuasoria
Reaching 4 cm long, this is one of the largest black and white wasps. The females are parasitic on longhorn beetle larvae. They have extensive white markings and reddish-brown legs.
11. Lemon Tree Borer Parasitoid Wasp
Scientific Name: Xanthocryptus novozealandicus
This wasp can be a pest of citrus crops. It has white antennae bands plus striped black and white abdomen with spots on the thorax. Native to New Zealand, it has spread as a parasite.
12. White-Banded Potter Wasp
Scientific Name: Ancistrocerus albophaleratus
True to its name, this species has distinctive white abdominal bands. Like other potter wasps, it creates mud nests on vertical surfaces and provisions them with captured insects.
13. Glabridorsum Stokesii
Scientific Name: Glabridorsum stokesii
A parasite of agricultural moth pests, this small wasp has variable white markings on black. It is an introduced species found near fruit orchards and vineyards.
14. White-Trimmed Black Wasp
Scientific Name: Episyron quinquenotatus
This digger wasp lives in sandy soils. It has sparse white markings on its mainly black body. Females hunt spiders, stinging and paralyzing them to provision underground nests.
Identification Tips
Identifying black and white wasps requires a close look at details. Number of bands, markings on legs, wing colors and nesting habits can all be clues. Location and habitat provide hints too. When in doubt, take a photo and consult a local insect expert. Proper identification will let you know if a species is likely to be a problem, or beneficial. With over 30,000 species of wasp worldwide, there is still much to learn about these amazing insects.
What Do Bald-Faced Hornets Look Like?
If you see what looks like a black and white wasp, you may be looking at a bald-faced hornet. They greatly resemble their yellowjacket relatives, but with black bodies and a predominantly white-patterned face. They also have two slanted lines running from their midsection towards their head and on the latter part of their abdomen. Like yellowjackets and paper wasps, the surface of their upper-midsection almost looks triangular from the side.
Queen bald-faced hornets are larger in size than their adult-worker counterparts. Their aerial nests are grey and paper-like, but they are enclosed unlike the open cone structure of other stinging hornets and insects, like yellowjackets and paper wasps. Video: Get the Facts About Bald-faced Hornets Can Bald-faced Hornets Hurt You?
Bald-faced hornets are aggressive and will attack anyone or anything that invades their space. This is unlike other stinging insects that may only rarely sting when they feel extremely threatened. This makes bald-faced hornet removal, which should be left strictly to a professional for safety, somewhat difficult. These black and white wasps have smooth stingers, so they can sting over and over again, whereas other stinging insects, like honey bees, are only able to attack once before their stinger falls off. Bald-faced Hornet Sting
Bald-faced hornet stings carry venom that makes the stings hurt, itch and swell for about 24 hours. Humans are at the same risk of allergic reactions from bald-faced hornet stings as with other insect stings. Where Do Bald-faced Hornets Live?
Bald-faced hornets build paper nests at least three or more feet off of the ground, usually in trees, shrubs, on overhangs, utility poles, houses, sheds or other structures. These nests can be as large as 14 inches in diameter and more than 24 inches in length. Bald-faced Hornet Habits
Bald-faced hornets are social insects and are most visibly active during the day. They live in colonies that may contain between 100 and 400 members at their peak.
Bald-faced hornets usually appear in late summer when populations are largest. Specifically, males emerge from unfertilized eggs and impregnate the new females for the next season in the end of the summer. The inseminated insects are the only ones that overwinter when the weather cools, while the remaining members of the nest die off, and the process repeats the next spring and summer. Unlike other stinging insects, bald-faced hornets do not reuse their nests season after season—the new members will rebuild them each time from new materials. Bald-faced Hornets vs. Yellowjackets Signs of a Bald-faced Hornet Infestation
You will most easily recognize a bald-faced hornet infestation by the presence of a nest, likely suspended above the ground. You will also find worker bald-faced hornets flying around the nest and nearby area.
Recognizing these black and white wasps and avoiding contact with them is key to preventing bald-faced hornet stings. How to Get Rid of Bald-Faced Hornets
The first step is prevention. Homeowners should seal any tiny openings like cracks where these wasps would be able to enter when seeking shelter. Keeping food covered, especially when outdoors, will also help keep these insects at bay and potentially avoid a bald-faced hornet sting.
When spending time outside, people should avoid wearing strong fragrances and opt for unscented hygienic products. Likewise, they should wear shoes that cover and protect their feet from rogue hornets.
If you find a bald-faced hornet nest on your home or property, do not attempt to remove it on your own, as this can aggravate the colony and cause the hornets to sting. DIY pest control should be avoided at all costs. Instead, contact a licensed professional about proper removal to avoid the risk of bald-faced hornet stings. A professional will likely examine the nest during the daytime and then remove the nest at night—when the majority of the hornets are in their shelter—to maximize removal.
If you suspect an Argentine ant infestation in your home, the best course of action is to contact a licensed pest control professional. They will conduct a thorough inspection to identify the full extent of the problem. Once the situation is properly identified, the appropriate control measures can be taken.
You can find one with the helpful zip code search below.
What is a Bald-Faced Hornet?
Did you know the bald-faced hornet is not actually a hornet? It’s a relative of the yellowjacket and other wasps. It gets its common name from its largely black color and mostly white face and is commonly referred to as a hornet because of its large size and aggressive nature. These black and white wasps known as bald-faced hornets can produce a nasty hornet-like sting. Read on to learn more.
Black and White Wasps? Bald-faced Hornets!
FAQ
Are black and white wasps aggressive?
These insects are highly defensive of their nests and respond aggressively to perceived threats. When disturbed or provoked, bald-faced hornets can quickly mobilize to defend their nest, delivering painful stings to intruders to protect their colony.
Do black and white mason wasps sting?
Both the mason and potter wasps are capable of stinging, but rarely do so unless extremely provoked. Even still, they should be treated with caution, as mason and potter wasp stings are painful and, like any other wasp sting, will cause redness and swelling.
How bad is a bald-faced hornet sting?
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Pain and Swelling:Bald-faced hornet stings are venomous and can cause pain and swelling for about 24 hours.
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Aggressive Behavior:Bald-faced hornets are known for their aggressive nature, especially when their nests are threatened. They will sting multiple times, unlike bees, who can only sting once.
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Allergic Reactions:People who are allergic to bee stings may have similar reactions to a bald-faced hornet sting.
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Symptoms of Allergic Reaction:Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.
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Treatment:
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling.
- Take ibuprofen or over-the-counter itching remedies for discomfort.
- Seek immediate medical care if you experience signs of a serious allergic reaction.
- Wash the area with soap and water.
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Prevention:
- Avoid disturbing bald-faced hornet nests.
- If you have a nest near your home, contact a professional bee exterminator.
- Be cautious when near their nests or in areas where they are known to be active.
- Avoid disturbing bald-faced hornet nests.
What attracts bald-faced hornets?
What Attracts Bald Faced Hornets? Bald-faced hornets are attracted to bright, sweet-smelling things. These can include flowers, fruits, and sugary beverages.
What is a black and white wasp?
The bald-faced hornet is the most common species of black and white wasp. However, there are a few other types of black wasps with white markings. Here are three species. The Ichneumon wasp, Coelichneumon navus, is easy to recognize due to its long, slender black abdomen with white markings on its body.
Are black and white wasps the same as bald-faced hornets?
Black and white wasps are sometimes mistaken for the bald-faced hornet, which is a type of black wasp with white markings. However, there are several species of bees that also have black furry bodies with white stripes.
What does a wasp look like?
This wasp species is a known parasite. It has a black and white coloring with red-brown legs. The species has white bands on the abdomen and white marks on the thorax. White stripes are common on its head. This species grows to a size of up to 10mm. Wasps of this genus are generally seen as beneficial for crops affected by fruit moths.
What colors do wasps come in?
Wasps have varying colors, with the classic yellow and black combination being the most common. They can also come in mostly black, blue, red, rust, and brown colors and their combinations.
What is the size of black wasps?
Black wasps can vary in size, but some of the largest species found in the US are the Eastern Cicada-killer Wasps. They can grow anywhere between 1 and 2 inches at most, with females being larger than males.
Where are black wasps commonly found?
Black wasps are largely found in the Midwest and Southern parts of the US. These wasps can be large, depending on the availability of food in their habitat. A black body with yellow stripes characterizes the species.