Wasps in Michigan: A Complete Guide

Michigan is home to a wide variety of wasp species that are active during the warmer months. While some people view wasps negatively, most species play important roles in controlling pest populations and pollinating plants. This article provides a comprehensive guide to identifying and understanding the most common wasps found in Michigan.

Overview of Wasps in Michigan

There are around 30-40 different species of wasps that regularly occur in Michigan. The majority of these belong to the families Vespidae (paper wasps, yellowjackets, hornets), Sphecidae (thread-waisted wasps, digger wasps), Pompilidae (spider wasps), Crabronidae (sand wasps), and Ichneumonidae (ichneumon wasps).

The most frequently encountered wasps in Michigan include

• Paper wasps: Dark paper wasp, European paper wasp, metric paper wasp (frequency: 8)
• Yellowjackets: Eastern yellowjacket, European yellowjacket, southern yellowjacket (frequency: 7)
• Hornets: Bald-faced hornet, European hornet (frequency: 5)
• Digger wasps: Great black digger wasp, great golden digger wasp (frequency: 2)
• Mud dauber wasps: Black and yellow mud dauber, blue mud dauber (frequency: 2)
• Ichneumon wasps: Giant ichneumon wasp, black ichneumon wasp (frequency: 2)

Wasps become most active in Michigan around early summer and remain common throughout the fall. Their populations peak in mid to late summer.

While wasps have a negative reputation, the majority of species are not aggressive and will only sting if provoked. However, caution should be exercised near nests, as some types of wasps vigorously defend their colonies

Common Wasps in Michigan

Here is more detailed information on some of the most frequently encountered wasps in Michigan:

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps are slender insects with long legs that dangle during flight. They construct nests out of chewed wood pulp that resembles paper.

Dark paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus)

• Reddish-brown body with yellow bands
• Nests often located under eaves or porches
• Feed on nectar and caterpillars
• Females have a mildly painful sting

European paper wasp (Polistes dominula)

• Yellow and black coloration
• Often nests in structures like light fixtures or pipes
• Generalist feeders on insects and nectar
• Sting is mild compared to other wasps

Metric paper wasp (Polistes metricus)

• Rusty red coloration with black markings
• Prefers nesting near water sources
• Feeds on caterpillars and nectar
• Not very aggressive but can sting

Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets have black and yellow/white markings and build nests in the ground or structures. They are known to aggressively defend colonies.

Eastern yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons)

• Black and yellow stripes on abdomen
• Form large underground nest colonies
• Feed on insects and fruit juices
• Painful sting, aggressive defense

European yellowjacket (Vespula germanica)

• Small with black dots on yellow face
• Often nests underground but opportunistic
• Scavengers that feed on many food sources
• Deliver multiple painful stings when provoked

Southern yellowjacket (Vespula squamosa)

• Broad yellow and black stripes
• Frequently nest underground near human dwellings
• Feed on sugary substances and other insects
• Use pheromones to coordinate colony defense

Hornets

Hornets are large wasps that make paper nests. They can deliver a potent sting but are generally not aggressive.

Bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)

• Large black and white wasp
• Build football-shaped hanging nests
• Feed on insects and flower nectar
• Repeatedly sting if nest is disturbed

European hornet (Vespa crabro)

• Up to 1.4 inches long
• Often nests in hollow trees or abandoned hives
• Primarily carnivorous, eats a variety of insects
• Normally docile but will sting if provoked

Digger Wasps

Digger wasps excavate burrows in the soil to create nests. The prey on other insects which they paralyze and store in the burrows.

Great black digger wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)

• Large black wasp up to 1.4 inches long
• Nests underground with individual burrows
• Preys on cicadas and other large insects
• Rarely bothers humans

**Great golden digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus)

• Large orange and black wasp
• Digs tunnels in loose soil for nesting
• Preys on grasshoppers and crickets
• Not an aggressive species

Mud Dauber Wasps

Mud daubers construct nests out of mud, using paralyzed spiders or insects to provision the cells.

Black and yellow mud dauber (Sceliphron caementarium)

• Black with yellow legs and markings
• Builds mud nest tubes on structures
• Paralyzes spiders as food for larvae
• Docile, rarely stings people

Blue mud dauber (Chalybion californicum)

• Metallic blue coloration
• Uses mud to build nests
• Preys on black widow spiders
• Males cannot sting

Benefits of Wasps

While wasps sometimes negatively interact with humans, they play vital ecological roles:

• Predators of pest insects – wasps capture huge numbers of caterpillars, flies, beetles, and other agricultural pests to feed to their larvae. Their hunting significantly reduces potential damage to crops and plants.

• Pollinators – many wasps frequently visit flowers for nectar. In the process, they transfer pollen and pollinate the plants.

• Scavengers – some wasps like yellowjackets will feed on dead animals and decaying matter, helping to break them down.

• Parasitoids – parasitic wasps lay eggs in or on other insects, eventually killing the host. This helps naturally control potential pest populations.

Avoiding Problems with Wasps

Here are some tips to prevent issues with wasps on your property:

• Carefully inspect overhangs, trees, and other areas before mowing or trimming to avoid disturbing nests.

• Seal cracks, crevices, and holes in walls, roofs, or foundations where wasps could enter and build nests.

• Clean up fallen fruit, nectar spills, and other sweet substances that attract foraging wasps.

• Avoid swatting at wasps, which will only provoke them. Remain calm and slowly move away if they approach.

• Call a professional pest control company to treat or remove nests, especially those close to human activity.

• Install fans or screens on porches, patios, and outdoor eating areas to discourage wasps.

Michigan is home to a wide variety of wasp species that become most abundant in mid to late summer. While wasps have a poor reputation, most species are not aggressive and play valuable roles as predators, pollinators, and scavengers. A basic knowledge of the most common wasps in Michigan can help identify them and avoid potential conflicts. Care should be taken not to disturb nests, and preventative measures can be implemented to deter wasps from properties. With proper understanding and caution, wasps do not need to pose problems for Michigan residents.