Did you know that there are over 5,000 species of spider wasps (family Pompilidae) found worldwide? These solitary wasps are known for their unique behaviors, particularly their ability to hunt and paralyze spiders to provide food for their larvae. Spider wasps (family Pompilidae) are solitary wasps that prey on spiders to feed their larvae or…
DetailsDid you know that there are nearly 3,000 species of mason wasps, or potter wasps, found worldwide? This diverse group of solitary wasps, belonging to the subfamily Eumeninae within the Vespidae family, is known for their unique nesting behaviors and physical traits. Mason wasps are recognized by their distinct features, including a posterolateral projection called…
DetailsDid you know that a single square mile of habitat can be home to over 1,000 digger wasps, also known as scoliid wasps? These remarkable predatory insects play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems across the United States. With their distinctive blue-black bodies, blackish-purple wings, and yellow stripes on their abdomen,…
DetailsDid you know that the velvet ant, also known as Dasymutilla occidentalis, is a family of over 3,000 species of wasps, with wingless females resembling large, hairy ants? These captivating insects are renowned for their vibrant colors, deceptive appearances, and fascinating behaviors that make them true marvels of nature. Despite their name, velvet ants are…
DetailsDid you know that a single mud dauber can construct up to 25 individual cells within its intricate nest? These remarkable solitary wasps, belonging to either the Sphecidae or Crabronidae families, are master architects and skilled hunters that play a vital role in controlling spider populations across North America. Mud daubers are long, slender wasps…
DetailsDid you know that just a single Africanized bee colony can contain up to 60,000 stinging insects? This startling statistic underscores the sheer scale and potential danger posed by these hybrid honey bees, often referred to as “killer bees.” Africanized bees are the result of a bold experiment in Brazil during the 1950s, where scientists…
DetailsDid you know that a single bumble bee colony can contain up to 500 individuals? This remarkable fact underscores the complex social dynamics and intricate behavioral repertoires of these fascinating pollinators. A recent study has revealed that bumble bees not only learn from each other but also develop distinct “trends” in their foraging behaviors, challenging…
DetailsImagine a wasp the size of a human thumb, with distinctive reddish-orange wings and a body adorned in striking brown and yellow stripes. This is the European hornet (Vespa crabro), the largest eusocial wasp native to Europe and the only true hornet (genus Vespa) found in North America, having been introduced to the United States…
DetailsDid you know that a single pavement ant colony can house over 10,000 industrious individuals? These small, dark-colored insects, also known as “sugar ants,” have become one of the most widespread ant species across the United States. Originating from Europe, pavement ants were likely introduced to the country in the 1700s and have since become…
DetailsImported fire ants infest more than 367 million acres in the United States, including states like Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Puerto Rico. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has established quarantine areas where imported…
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