Did you know that Michigan is home to more than 140 species of wasps? These fascinating insects have various shapes, sizes, and colors.
They can be found in almost every corner of the state, from wooded areas to grassy meadows.
Wasps are important to the local ecosystem as they help to pollinate plants and control pest populations.
This blog post will explore Michigan‘s many types of wasps and what they eat.
You’ll be amazed at the types of wasps in Michigan homes and their roles in keeping our environment healthy.
1. Metric Paper Wasp
The Metric Paper Wasp, also known as Polistes metricus, is one of Michigan‘s most common types of wasps. It has a black body with white bands and an orange head.
Its wings are dark brown with some light brown spots. The females can grow to 15-20 mm, while the males can grow to 10-15 mm.
These wasps create paper nests attached to vegetation such as shrubs, trees, or buildings.
The nests comprise cells; their external coverings are grey, brown, or black paper. They usually contain between 3 and 25 cells.
2. Four-toothed Mason Wasp
The four-toothed mason wasp (Monobia quadridens) is a type of wasp found in Michigan.
It is a solitary wasp that nests in pre-existing cavities such as tunnels created by other insects or holes in dead wood.
They usually have yellowish-brown bodies, black legs and antennae, and reddish-brown wings.
Female four-toothed mason wasps are about 0.3 to 0.4 inches long, while males are slightly smaller at about 0.2 to 0.3 inches long.
These wasps can often buzz around gardens and parks in early summer. Although they can sting, they usually only do so if threatened or disturbed.
3. German Yellowjacket
The German yellowjacket is an insect of the Vespidae family native to North America and found in Michigan.
It is identified by its yellow and black coloration and yellow bands around the thorax. German yellowjackets build large paper nests in walls, attics, and hollow trees.
Their nests consist of up to 15,000 workers and can reach sizes of up to two feet in diameter.
Knowing German yellow jackets is important since their stings can be painful and sometimes even dangerous to humans.
If you see a nest, you should contact a pest control expert who can safely remove it.
To protect your home from these pests, ensure all windows and doors are sealed properly and check for potential access points.
4. Fraternal Potter Wasp
The fraternal potter wasp is a type of solitary wasp found in Michigan.
These wasps are typically black or brown, with black and yellow markings on their bodies. They range in size from 1/2 to 5/8 inches long.
Fraternal potter wasps build nests made of mud and can be found in various habitats, including forests, fields, and gardens.
The fraternal potter wasp feeds primarily on caterpillars. They use their mandibles to catch and paralyze their prey, which they then store inside the nest for their larvae to feed on.
These wasps are important pollinators and beneficial predators of other insects.
It is important to note that while these wasps are beneficial, they can still sting if provoked.
As with all other stinging insects, it is best to avoid these wasps and never attempt to handle them.
5. Golden Digger Wasp
The great golden digger wasp is a species of wasp that is native to North America.
These types of wasps in Michigan are large, with a wingspan of up to 2 inches, and strikingly golden in color.
They are named for their habit of digging burrows in the ground, which they use to rear their young.
Great golden digger wasps are solitary creatures; each female builds her burrow.
The wasp excavates a tunnel about 6 inches long and then creates a series of cells at the end of the tunnel.
She fills these cells with a mixture of nectar and pollen, which she has gathered from flowers, and then lays an egg in each cell.
The great golden digger wasp is an important pollinator of many native plants. It is also a predator, and its burrows help.
6. Eastern Yellowjacket
The Eastern yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) is a species of yellowjacket wasp, and it is among the types of wasps in Michigan.
It is one of the most common yellow jackets in the region and is known for its aggressive behavior.
The Eastern yellowjacket is a yellow and black striped wasp typically around 12 to 15 mm long.
The female wasps are slightly larger than the males and have a stinger that is about 6 mm long.
The sting of the Eastern yellowjacket is very painful and can cause serious allergic reactions in some people.
The wasp gets its name from the yellow and black stripes on its body, resembling a yellow jacket’s colors.
The Eastern yellowjacket is a social insect that lives in colonies of up to 3,000 individuals. The wasps build their nests underground,
7. Black Digger Wasp
The great black digger wasp is an insect native to North America. This wasp species is large, black, and has a stinger about half an inch long.
The great black digger wasp is a solitary creature that builds its nest in the ground.
These wasps are not aggressive and will only sting humans if threatened or provoked.
8. European Paper Wasp
The European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) is a paper wasp native to Europe. It is a social insect that lives in colonies of up to several thousand individuals.
The European paper wasp is a relatively large wasp with a body length of up to 1.6 cm (0.6 inches).
The black body has yellow head, thorax, and abdomen markings. The wings are clear with dark veins.
The European paper wasp is a common insect in Europe and can be found in various habitats, including forests, gardens, and urban areas. It is an important pollinator of many plant species.
The European paper wasp is not considered a pest and is not known to cause any damage to humans or property.
9. Bald-faced Hornet
The bald-faced hornet gets its name from its black-and-white coloring. This hornet is a type of wasp and is one of the largest wasps in North America.
The bald-faced hornet is a predatory wasp that feeds on other insects. It is also known for its aggressive nature and will sting humans if they feel threatened.
While the bald-faced hornet is not considered a major pest, it can become a nuisance if it builds its nest near your home.
If you see a bald-faced hornet nest on your property, it’s best to leave it alone and contact a pest control professional to have it removed.
10. Dark Paper Wasp
The dark paper wasp (Polistes nigrinus) is a wasp found in North America. These wasps are black or dark brown and are about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch in length.
The dark paper wasp is a predatory insect that preys on other insects, such as flies, moths, and caterpillars. In Michigan, these types of wasps also feed on carrion and nectar.
The dark paper wasp is not considered a dangerous species to humans. However, it may sting if it feels threatened.
These wasps are not aggressive and usually only sting humans if handled roughly or if their nests are disturbed.