North Carolina is home to a diverse array of wasp species. While wasps have a bad reputation for their painful stings, most species are not aggressive unless their nest is threatened. Wasps play important roles as predators, pollinators, and biocontrol agents in ecosystems across North Carolina.
Of the over 30 species of wasps found in the state some of the most frequently encountered include
1. Metric Paper Wasp
The metric paper wasp (Polistes metricus) is a very common species across North Carolina. These rusty-colored wasps with black markings build small open nests under eaves, in barns, and in other protected spots.
Metric paper wasps can live in nests with other paper wasp species and may reuse nests across multiple seasons. Females have six abdominal segments while males have seven.
2. Eastern Yellowjacket
Eastern yellowjackets (Vespula maculifrons) are found statewide, especially in urban and suburban areas They build large underground nests that can contain hundreds or thousands of wasps
These black-and-yellow wasps aggressively defend their nests. They can deliver painful repeated stings, so nests near human activity should be avoided.
3. European Hornet
The European hornet (Vespa crabro) is the only true hornet species found in North Carolina. These large wasps up to 1.5 inches long have brownish-red bodies with dull yellow striping.
European hornets often nest in wall voids, attics, barns, and sheds. While not aggressive, they will sting in defense of the nest.
4. Bald-Faced Hornet
Bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) are a type of aerial yellowjacket with black and white markings. Their large football-shaped paper nests hang from trees and buildings.
Bald-faced hornets can spray venom that contains alarm pheromones when disturbed. With nests up to 15 inches long containing hundreds of wasps, they will aggressively defend against threats.
5. Guinea Paper Wasp
The Guinea paper wasp (Polistes exclamans) builds small open-comb nests in pipes, grills, under eaves, and other protected spots. Their coloration varies but usually includes yellow markings on the head, thorax, and abdomen.
These wasps occasionally sting but are much less aggressive than other paper wasp species when defending their nests.
6. Great Golden Digger Wasp
The vivid great golden digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) is a solitary, non-aggressive species found across North Carolina. Females dig burrows in soft soil and provision them with paralyzed insects for their offspring.
These wasps are most frequently seen peacefully drinking nectar from flowers in the summer.
7. Organ Pipe Mud Dauber
The organ pipe mud dauber (Trypoxylon politum) is a solitary spider-hunting wasp. Females build long mud tubes containing multiple cells stocked with paralyzed spiders to feed developing larvae.
These large wasps are docile and reluctant to sting unless handled. Their nests are easily recognized and found on porches,sheds, and other structures.
8. Four-Toothed Mason Wasp
The four-toothed mason wasp (Monobia quadridens) gets its name from the white bands on its black abdomen resembling teeth. This solitary potter wasp uses existing cavities for its nests.
Females stock the nest with paralyzed caterpillars and other insects for newly hatched larvae to feed on. Four-toothed mason wasps are non-aggressive unless accidentally disturbed.
9. Cicada Killer
The cicada killer (Sphecius speciosus) is the largest wasp in North Carolina, growing over 1.5 inches long. Females dig burrows in well-drained, sandy soil and provision them with cicadas.
Despite their massive size, cicada killers rarely sting unless grabbed or stepped on. Males aggressively defend territories from other males.
10. Common Thread-Waisted Wasp
With extremely thin waists and long legs, the common thread-waisted wasp (Ammophila procera) hunts caterpillars and other insects to provision its nests.
This solitary black wasp with a red/orange waist band can deliver a painful sting but is not aggressive.
11. Dark Paper Wasp
Also called the northern paper wasp, the dark paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus) often nests on human structures like homes, sheds, and fences. Their small paper nests contain up to a few hundred wasps that aggressively guard against intruders.
These wasps have a rusty brown coloration with variable yellow and black markings. Their smooth stinger allows multiple stings.
12. Southern Yellowjacket
In contrast to Eastern yellowjackets that nest underground, southern yellowjackets (Vespula squamosa) prefer to build aerial nests attached to trees and buildings. Colonies contain thousands of wasps.
Southern yellowjackets scavenge at picnics and trash cans. Their painful stings and large nests make them unwelcome in human-use areas.
13. Blue Mud Dauber
The metallic blue Nearctic blue mud dauber (Chalybion californicum) hunts black widow spiders and other spiders to provision its nests. Females often refurbish abandoned wasp nests for their own offspring.
These solitary wasps are unlikely to sting unless handled. Their vibrant blue bodies make them a colorful backyard visitor.
14. Wool Sower Gall Wasp
The wool sower gall wasp (Callirhytis seminator) induces leafy galls on white oak trees in spring. The green galls mature into a distinct woolly texture. Inside the gall, a single wasp larva develops, emerging as an adult wasp that crawls out of the gall.
15. Ringed Paper Wasp
The ringed paper wasp (Polistes annularis) builds large, open-comb nests under cliff overhangs and branches near water. They often cluster nests together in aggregations.
Look for their signature black bodies with single yellow bands across reddish-brown faces and thoraxes. Ringed paper wasps occasionally sting but tend to retreat if swatted away.
16. Potter Wasp
Potter wasps like the fraternal potter wasp (Eumenes fraternus) construct free-hanging clay pots on branches and twigs for nests. Females stock the pots with paralyzed caterpillars and seal them up with one wasp egg each.
These gentle wasps do not defend their nests. Their ceramics-like pots are a work of art.
17. Great Black Digger Wasp
The great black digger wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus) is a large jet black wasp with smoky wings. Females dig underground burrows that they provision with paralyzed insects.
They rarely sting unless provoked but can deliver a painful sting with their retractable stinger. Males are more docile and lack a stinger.
18. Scoliid Wasp
Colorful scoliid wasps like the blue-winged scoliid (Scolia dubia) are medium-sized, hairy wasps with striped abdomens. Females hunt beetle grubs in soil to feed their young.
These solitary wasps forage for nectar on flowers. Scoliids rarely sting unless handled.
19. Mud Dauber
Mud dauber wasps like the organ pipe mud dauber construct nests from mud. However, other species like the yellow-legged mud dauber (Sceliphron caementarium) create nests from plant resins.
Most mud daubers provision their nests with paralyzed spiders. These solitary wasps tend to be non-aggressive.
20. Sand Wasp
Sand wasps and spider wasps like the great golden digger wasp nest by digging in sandy soil and provisioning burrows with paralyzed insects or spiders. These solitary wasps are unlikely to sting humans.
21. Parasitoid Wasp
Tiny parasitoid wasps like the hornworm parasitoid (Cotesia congregata) lay eggs inside living caterpillars. The eggs hatch and larvae emerge to feed inside the host. They are extremely small wasps that do not sting.
22. Thread-Waisted Wasp
Thread-waisted wasps like the common thread-waisted wasp have pinched-in waists and long legs for grasping prey. They sting and paralyze caterpillars to provision nests. These solitary wasps can deliver painful stings with their retractable stingers.
23. Gall Wasp
Gall wasps like the wool sower gall wasp induce tree tissue to form gall growths, inside which a single wasp larva develops. The adults emerge from the gall through a hole chewed out by the mature larva. They do not sting.
24. Spider Wasp
Spider wasps such as the organ pipe mud dauber specialize in hunting spiders to provision their nests. Most species in this group are solitary wasps that rarely interact with humans, but some larger species can inflict painful stings.
25. Digger Wasp
Digger wasps nest underground, excavating tunnels in sandy soils. Species like the great golden digger wasp stock their tunnels with paralyzed insects for offspring to feed on when they emerge. These solitary wasps avoid humans.
26. Ichneumon Wasp
There are over 60 species of ichneumon wasps in North Carolina. These solitary parasitoids lay eggs inside host insects like caterpillars. The larvae eat the host alive. Most ichneumon wasps do not sting humans.
27. Sawfly Wasp
Sawfly wasps are primitive relatives of wasps that lack stingers. The larvae of some species resemble caterpillars and can cause damage to plants as they feed in groups. The adults are minor pollinators and do not sting.
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FAQ
What is the most common wasp in North Carolina?
The most common type of wasp that most North Carolina residents have had an unpleasant experience with is the yellow jacket. Wasps are solitary creatures, however yellow jackets are social, which many North Carolina residents may know by now. It may come as a surprise, but most wasps do not sting.
What is the big wasp looking bug in North Carolina?
Cicada killers are the largest solitary wasps in the state, with females occasionally reaching 1.5 inches long and weighing about a gram (the weight of a shelled almond). Males weigh about half as much.
Do 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 to get rid of wasps in North Carolina?
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for any gaps or holes around windows, doors, and eaves. …
- Remove Food Sources: Wasps are attracted to sweet smells, so be sure to keep outdoor dining areas clean.
What kind of wasps live in North Carolina?
The Common Thread-waisted Wasp (Family Sphecidae) is one of the most common types of wasps in North Carolina. These wasps are identified by their long, thin “waists” between the thorax and abdomen. They are usually black or brown and can range from 1/4 to 1 inch in length.
Are there dark paper wasps in North Carolina?
These wasps are common to see in North Carolina! Dark Paper Wasps often build nests around human homes and outbuildings as long as they can find good sources of wood fibers for construction. Unfortunately, their proximity to humans sometimes leads to unwanted interactions.
How many wasp species are there in North Carolina?
There are around thirty wasp species in North Carolina. The most common are yellow jackets, mud daubers, and hornets. Wasps tend to have a bad reputation throughout the world, but they are important to our ecosystem.
When do wasps eat flowers in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, wasps are more common between June and October where adults are seen foraging on flowers. This wasp has four conspicuous cream abdominal stripes and was first discovered in 1823. Females prey exclusively on nymphs of the true bug, mainly stink bugs.
Where do metric paper wasps nest in North Carolina?
Metric Paper Wasps in North Carolina tend to choose large, well-lit areas for their nests and often use sheds, barns, and under the eaves of dwellings. They prefer to build nests near ponds and other water sources as they make frequent trips to drink during the summer. These wasps are distinct in their nesting habits.
What does a wasp look like in North Carolina?
These types of wasps in North Carolina build nests out of the mud and lay eggs on spiders, serving food for the wasp’s young. It has bright yellow legs, a black abdomen with yellow markings, and an overall length of 3/4 inch.