Yellow Jackets (Genus Vespula)

Yellow jackets are one of the most recognizable types of wasps in Idaho. Known for their aggressive behavior, especially when defending their nests, yellow jackets are social wasps that live in colonies. They are predatory and feed on other insects, making them beneficial for controlling pest populations. However, their tendency to scavenge in human environments makes them a common nuisance, particularly in late summer when their colonies are large.

Paper Wasps (Genus Polistes)

Paper wasps are generally less aggressive than yellow jackets and build nests made from a papery material, which they create by chewing wood fibers mixed with their saliva. These wasps are important for pest control as they feed on caterpillars and other insects that can damage plants. They can become aggressive if their nests are disturbed but are generally not as hostile as other types of wasps (Kojima & Achterberg, 1997).

Mud Daubers (Genus Sceliphron and Chalybion)

Mud daubers are solitary wasps known for building small, tube-like nests out of mud. These wasps are not aggressive and are beneficial to have around, as they help control spider populations. Mud daubers are particularly known for hunting and paralyzing spiders, which they use to feed their larvae. They are generally calm and do not sting unless provoked.

Bald-Faced Hornets (Species Dolichovespula maculata)

Despite their name, bald-faced hornets are technically a type of yellow jacket. These wasps are black with white markings and are known for their large, football-shaped nests. Bald-faced hornets are highly defensive of their nests and will sting repeatedly if disturbed. Like yellow jackets, they are predatory and help control other insect populations, but they can become aggressive during the late summer months.

Digger Wasps (Family Sphecidae)

Digger wasps are solitary wasps that nest in the ground. They are non-aggressive and help control pests by paralyzing insects like grasshoppers and caterpillars to feed their larvae. These wasps are particularly important in Idaho’s agricultural landscapes, where they naturally manage pest populations.

Parasitoid Wasps (Family Braconidae)

Parasitoid wasps are one of the most beneficial types of wasps in Idaho. They lay their eggs inside other insects, which their larvae then consume from the inside out. These wasps are crucial for controlling agricultural pests and are often used in biological control programs. For instance, in Idaho, the Peristenus howardi species parasitizes the pest Lygus hesperus, which is harmful to crops like alfalfa (Day et al., 1999).

Cicada Killers (Species Sphecius speciosus)

Cicada killers are large solitary wasps that specialize in hunting cicadas. They are one of the largest wasps in Idaho, but despite their intimidating size, they are not aggressive toward humans. These wasps capture and paralyze cicadas to feed their larvae. Cicada killers are beneficial for controlling cicada populations, which can damage trees.

Ichneumon Wasps (Family Ichneumonidae)

Ichneumon wasps are another group of parasitoid wasps found in Idaho. They are slender and have long, thin bodies, with some species possessing an ovipositor longer than their body, which they use to lay eggs inside host insects. These wasps play a key role in regulating insect populations by targeting pests like caterpillars and beetles (Cobb & Cobb, 2004).

Conclusion

Wasps in Idaho are a diverse group, ranging from aggressive social species like yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets to solitary, beneficial predators like digger wasps and mud daubers. While some wasps may be considered pests due to their stinging behavior and nest-building around homes, many play important roles in pest control and the ecosystem. Understanding the types of wasps in Idaho can help you appreciate their benefits while managing any potential nuisances they may cause.

Works Cited

Cobb, L., & Cobb, V. A. (2004). Occurrence of Parasitoid Wasps, Baeus sp. and Gelis sp., in the Egg Sacs of the Wolf Spiders Pardosa moesta and Pardosa sternalis (Araneae, Lycosidae) in Southeastern Idaho. Canadian Field-Naturalist, 118, 122-123. https://www.canadianfieldnaturalist.ca/index.php/cfn/article/view/894.

Day, W., Baird, C., & Shaw, S. (1999). New, Native Species of Peristenus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Parasitizing Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae) in Idaho: Biology, Importance, and Description. Annals of The Entomological Society of America, 92(3), 370-375. https://academic.oup.com/aesa/article-abstract/92/3/370/58707?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false.

Kojima, J., & Achterberg, C. (1997). List of the Primary Types of Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Deposited in the Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden, and the Zoölogisch Museum, Amsterdam. Zoologische Mededelingen, 71, 157-169. https://repository.naturalis.nl/pub/318249.