Orange wasps are a common sight during the warmer months in many parts of North America. With their bright warning colors, these insects stand out against gardens, walls, and outdoor furniture. But why are some wasps orange? And are orange wasps dangerous? This guide will cover everything you need to know about these colorful insects.
Why Are Some Wasps Orange?
Many wasp species have developed orange and black patterns as a form of warning coloration. The vibrant colors let potential predators know that these insects can deliver a painful sting if provoked. This aposematic coloration is seen in wasp species such as paper wasps, spider wasps, and velvet ants.
Within a species, the amount of orange can vary based on gender or location. For example, female paper wasps tend to have more extensive orange markings than males of the same species. And a certain type of wasp may show more orange when found in drier, open habitats compared to shaded, forested areas.
Common Orange Wasp Species
There are many different orange and black wasps found across the United States. Here are some of the most common:
Paper Wasps
Paper wasps in the genus Polistes are very common orange and black wasps. They build open comb nests out of chewed wood pulp. Polistes carolina, known as the red paper wasp, is widespread in eastern states.
Other paper wasps with orange markings include the introduced European paper wasp Polistes dominula and the western paper wasp Polistes fuscatus.
Spider Wasps
Spider wasps in the genus Pepsis specialize in hunting spiders These large orange and black wasps drag paralyzed spiders back to their burrows to feed their larvae. Two common orange spider wasps are Pepsis grossa and Pepsis thisbe Their painful stings help protect them from predators.
Velvet Ants
Velvet ants are actually wingless female wasps, not true ants. Their fuzzy orange and black bodies let them mimic ants as they scurry through the vegetation. Two common eastern velvet ants are Dasymutilla occidentalis and Dasymutilla vesta.
Mud Dauber Wasps
Mud dauber wasps in the genus Sceliphron create mud nest tubes on walls and rock faces. Black and orange species like Sceliphron caementarium stock their nests with paralyzed spiders for their offspring to eat.
Scoliid Wasps
Large scoliid wasps like Campsomeris plumipes drill into the soil to parasitize the grubs of scarab beetles. The females of many species have black bodies paired with orange legs and abdominal markings.
Potter Wasps
Potter wasps construct amazing clay nests, earning them common names like ornamental wasps. Eumenes fraternus and other Eumenes species are black and orange wasps known for their intricate pottery homes for raising larvae.
Cuckoo Wasps
The cuckoo wasps Chrysis angolensis and Chrysis nitidula are just two bright orange species among this large group of wasps. As nest parasites, they lay eggs in the nests of other wasp and bee species.
Are Orange Wasps Dangerous?
Orange wasps are equipped to sting, but they will generally only do so when threatened or if their nest is disturbed. Their bright colors warn predators away and remind people to give them space.
However, some orange wasps do pose more of a danger than others. Spider wasps and velvet ants have extremely painful stings that can cause severe reactions in those who are allergic. Multiple stings should receive medical attention.
Here are some tips for avoiding orange wasp stings:
- Never swat at or try to kill the wasps
- Stay calm and move slowly if they fly near you
- Avoid areas where you see heavy wasp activity
- Don’t touch nests found under eaves or in trees
- Check picnic areas before eating outside
- Keep food and drink covered when outside
- Have an epinephrine pen on hand if you have allergies
Benefits of Orange Wasps
While their stings can be an inconvenience, orange wasps do provide ecosystem services that benefit both nature and agriculture. As predators and pollinators, they help suppress pest populations while aiding in plant reproduction.
Spider wasps and mud dauber wasps help control venomous spiders like black widows. Velvet ants prey on destructive termites. Paper wasps are an important predator of tree-damaging caterpillars.
When visiting flowers for nectar, many of these wasps also transfer pollen between blossoms. Their pollination assistance is valued for orchards and crops like figs, goldenrod, milkweed, and peppermint.
Spotting Orange Wasps
Orange wasps tend to be most active in warmer months when they are out hunting for food. Keep an eye out for them in the following locations:
- Flying near flowering bushes and trees
- Visiting ripe, fallen fruit or sweaty outdoor trash cans
- Entering holes in the ground or gaps in walls
- Building mud or paper nests under logs, eaves, or tree branches
- Crawling on the ground in search of insect hosts
Getting to know the orange wasp species in your area will help you identify them more easily. Carry a phone or camera to take pictures of wasps you want to identify. Then use an insect field guide or app to put a name to the critter at hand.
Mimics of Orange Wasps
There are also many black and orange insects out there that mimic wasps to fool predators, including:
- Hover flies – Harmless flies that feed on pollen and nectar
- Bee flies – Fluffy flies that lay eggs near the nests of ground-dwelling bees
- Blister beetles – Plant-eating beetles with toxic chemical defenses
- Longhorn beetles – Many long antennae beetle species mimic wasps
- Robber flies – Ambush predators that eat other insects
Look closely at a suspected wasp to confirm the presence of a constricted “wasp waist”. This tapered section between the thorax and abdomen is a key wasp feature.
Coexisting with Orange Wasps
Orange wasps can make their presence known if you encounter them, but there are ways to safely coexist:
- Seal holes and gaps in walls, roofs, or foundations where nests could form
- Keep trash cans closed and rinse them out regularly
- Cover food and drinks at picnics; carry an epinephrine pen if you have allergies
- Avoid flowering shrubs and fallen, rotting fruit that attract wasps
- Remain calm and still if a wasp approaches; do not swat at it
- Do not disturb nests; call a professional to remove those on your home
- Appreciate the pest control and pollination benefits these insects provide
Orange wasps are beautiful creatures worthy of our respect and distance. A little awareness about them will ensure we can all enjoy time spent outdoors!
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Red Paper Wasps in Georgia
These wasps are usually a brown or red color, often with yellow patterns or banding. They range anywhere from 1.5-2.25 cm in length depending on what species you happen to be dealing with. They also possess a very noticeably pinched waist (wasp waist). Male wasps for most species in this genus have a mostly yellow, if not entirely yellow, face. The larval stages of red paper wasps feed on chewed-up insects, usually, caterpillars, fed to them by the adults. The adults feed on nectar, fruit juices, and sometimes other insects. The comb of a paper wasp nest is unique from other hornets and yellow jackets because it lacks a protective paper covering and is left exposed. If you crack open the paper covering of a hornet or yellow jacket nest you would find a very similar comb structure to that of the paper wasp stacked on top of one another. Do not attempt to mess with a hornet or yellow jacket nest unless you are positive it has been abandoned!
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The World’s Biggest Wasp | Bite, Sting, Kill
FAQ
What kind of wasp is orange?
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These wasps are known for their vibrant red-orange coloration and papery nests, often found under eaves, decks, and porch ceilings. They are relatively docile and beneficial to gardeners, as they feed on caterpillars and other pests.
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These are large, solitary wasps with orange and black bodies, and golden hairs on their heads and thorax. They are ground-dwelling and build their nests in the soil. They are beneficial pollinators and protect plants from damage caused by grasshoppers and katydids.
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Other Orange Wasps:While less common, some other wasp species can also have orange coloration, such as Pepsis wasps.
Are red wasps aggressive?
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Defensive Behavior:Red wasps, like other wasps, are primarily defensive, meaning they are more likely to sting when they perceive a threat to their nest or themselves.
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Nest Protection:They will aggressively defend their nests, which are often built in or near structures, so it’s important to be cautious around them, especially if you see a nest.
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Multiple Stings:Unlike bees, red wasps can sting multiple times, and their stings can be painful, so it’s important to avoid disturbing their nests.
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Not Aggressive Unless Provoked:Red wasps are not generally aggressive and will not go out of their way to sting humans or pets unless their nest is disturbed or they feel threatened.
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Signs of Aggression:If you see a wasp chasing you, it’s a sign that they feel threatened and are defending their territory.
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Allergic Reactions:As with other stinging insects, some people may experience allergic reactions to red wasp stings, so it’s important to seek medical attention if you have a severe reaction.
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Other Types of Wasps:It’s important to note that not all wasps are red wasps, and some types, like yellow jackets, are known to be more aggressive.
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Red wasps are a type of paper wasp, known for building their nests out of chewed wood pulp.
What are the big rust colored wasps?
These huge wasps have a painful reputation if you get too close or aggravate their nest. Named for their rusty red color, the species Polistes perplexus and Polistes carolina are commonly known as red wasps.
Are great golden digger wasps aggressive?
Like all solitary wasps, this species is not aggressive. The great golden digger wasp is a nonagressive species. It is commonly seen visiting flowers for nectar and is usually found in fields and other grassy, rather open areas.
What is an orange wasp?
Orange wasps are commonly known as paper wasps. They belong to the Vespidae family and are known for their distinctive orange and black coloration. Paper wasps are social insects that build paper-like nests from wood fibers and plant material. They are beneficial for controlling pest populations but can also sting if provoked.
Are black and orange wasps dangerous?
Orange and black-orange wasps are highly common in North America where most show parasitic behavior. Black wasps and orange are to be avoided in most cases. Some of the wasps with a highly dangerous and painful sting are black and orange. Black and orange wasps are highly common across the US. They are found in Eastern, Western, and Southern parts.
Are orange wasps Black or orange?
Many black and orange wasps are only found in deserts. They abound in California and nearby states. Wasps may have an orange-dominating color as they can also have a black-dominating color. Many wasps of the same species have very similar coloring with small differences between them. Are Orange Wasps Dangerous?
Where are black and orange wasps found?
They are found in Eastern, Western, and Southern parts. Many black and orange wasps are only found in deserts. They abound in California and nearby states. Wasps may have an orange-dominating color as they can also have a black-dominating color. Many wasps of the same species have very similar coloring with small differences between them.
Are wasps considered a nuisance?
Wasps are a common nuisance among many people, often causing people to avoid their yards due to fear of their sting. While there are over 4000 types of wasps in the US, only a handful are considered pests. Despite this, wasps are beneficial insects as they feed on other insects and pests.
What are potter wasps?
Potter wasps are small wasps found mostly in the western and southeastern regions of the United States. They are also known as mason wasps and are generally solitary. These wasps are very small, only half an inch in length, and their nests are also quite small, usually smaller than a lemon. They often have yellow and black stripes on their bodies.