Georgia’s diverse ecosystem is home to a remarkable variety of wasps, with over 30 different species buzzing throughout the state.
From the reddish-brown Red Paper Wasp to the striking Bald-Faced Hornet, these insects play vital roles in our environment.
Georgia hosts numerous wasp species including paper wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, mud daubers, and beneficial digger wasps that help control pest populations.
While many people fear these stinging insects, understanding the different types can help homeowners identify potential threats and appreciate beneficial species.
Some wasps, like the Great Golden Digger Wasp, rarely sting humans and instead focus on hunting pests that damage gardens and crops.
Others, such as the aggressive yellowjacket, require more caution, especially during late summer when their colonies reach peak size and they become more defensive of their nests.
Eastern Cicada Killer
The Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp (Sphecius Speciosus) is one of Georgia’s largest wasps, reaching about two inches in length.
These impressive insects have black or dark brown bodies with bright yellow markings on several segments of their abdomen.
Unlike social wasps, the cicada killer is a solitary species that doesn’t form colonies.
Each female establishes her own territory and builds individual burrows.
Appearance and Identification:
- Length: Approximately 2 inches
- Color: Black/dark brown with yellow markings
- Wings: Amber-colored
- Gender differences: Males are smaller than females
Female cicada killers create sandy burrows that can be up to 10 inches deep and 6 feet long.
These burrows are often visible in late summer, especially in sandy areas like golf courses, playgrounds, and bare soil patches.
Despite their intimidating size and name, cicada killers rarely sting humans.
Males cannot sting at all, while females only sting when directly handled or threatened.
The name “cicada killer” comes from their hunting behavior.
Females paralyze cicadas with their sting, then carry them back to their burrows as food for their larvae. A single female can capture and store multiple cicadas.
Sometimes incorrectly called Sand Hornets, these wasps are active primarily in July and August when cicadas are abundant.
Their presence often coincides with the emergence of annual cicadas in Georgia.
For homeowners concerned about cicada killers, it’s worth noting that they’re beneficial insects that help control cicada populations and rarely cause problems for humans.
Bald-faced Hornet
The bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula Maculata) is a common wasp species in Georgia, easily recognized by its distinctive coloring.
Despite its name, this insect isn’t actually a true hornet but a type of yellow jacket.
These wasps have striking black bodies with white markings, most notably on their face—hence the name “bald-faced.”
They also feature three white stripes at the end of their body, making them easy to identify compared to other wasps in the region.
Bald-faced hornets build large, football-shaped paper nests that typically hang from tree branches or building eaves.
These impressive structures can grow to the size of a basketball by late summer.
These insects are more aggressive than many other wasp species, especially when their nest is threatened.
They can sting multiple times, and their venom may cause severe allergic reactions in some people.
Behavior and Habits:
- Build aerial paper nests in trees and on structures
- Become more aggressive in late summer and early fall
- Feed primarily on other insects, including flies and yellow jackets
- Create new colonies each spring (old nests are abandoned in winter)
While bald-faced hornets help control pest populations, they pose risks when nesting near human activity.
Their nests are often found in Georgia’s wooded areas and suburban landscapes.
Professional removal is recommended for nests near homes, as disturbing these defensive insects can result in multiple painful stings.
Southern Yellowjacket
The Southern Yellowjacket (Vespula Squamosa) is a common wasp species found throughout Georgia.
These insects have distinctive yellow and black bands on their bodies, with the queens showing more yellow markings than the workers.
Southern Yellowjackets are social insects that build large, paper-like nests.
Unlike some other yellowjacket species, Vespula squamosa can form perennial polygynous colonies in the warmer southern parts of their range.
These wasps are known for their defensive behavior when their nests are disturbed.
They can sting multiple times, making them a potential hazard around homes and outdoor spaces.
A typical Southern Yellowjacket colony includes:
- One queen (sometimes multiple in southern regions)
- Numerous worker wasps
- Males (drones) that appear in late summer
- New queens that emerge in fall
Their diet consists mainly of other insects, making them beneficial for pest control.
However, they also feed on sugary foods and can become a nuisance at picnics or outdoor events.
Southern Yellowjackets belong to the family Vespidae, which includes paper wasps and hornets.
They are one of two primary yellowjacket species in Georgia, alongside the Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons).
When encountering these wasps, caution is advised. Wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding sweet-smelling perfumes can help prevent attracting them.
If a nest is discovered near a home, professional pest control services should be consulted for safe removal.
European Hornet
The European hornet (Vespa Crabro) is the largest eusocial wasp in Europe and the largest vespine species found in North America.
These impressive insects can reach up to 2 inches in length, making them quite intimidating when encountered.
These hornets have distinctive coloring with a brownish-red head and thorax.
Their abdomen features yellow and black stripes, though the pattern is different from yellowjackets. The queens are significantly larger than workers.
European hornets prefer woodland habitats and seek natural cavities like tree hollows to build their nests.
Unlike some other wasp species, they rarely nest in open areas, preferring enclosed spaces for protection.
Despite their intimidating size, European hornets are generally less aggressive than yellowjackets when away from their nest.
However, caution is still advised when in close proximity to their colony.
Their diet consists primarily of large insects, making them beneficial for controlling certain pest populations. They are also known to feed on tree sap and ripe fruit.
Identifying Features:
- Large size (1-1.5 inches for workers, up to 2 inches for queens)
- Brownish-red head and thorax
- Yellow and black striped abdomen
- Loud buzzing flight sound
When mistakenly identified, the European hornet is often confused with the great golden digger wasp or western yellowjacket. Their size alone often leads to misidentification and fear.
Paper Wasp
Paper wasps (Polistes Spp.) are common insects found throughout Georgia with more than 22 species present in the United States.
These wasps get their name from the paper-like nests they build using chewed wood fibers mixed with their saliva.
Most paper wasps display a slender body with long legs and typically have a reddish-brown or black coloration with distinctive yellow markings.
They measure about 0.75-1 inch in length with narrow waists and dangling legs during flight.
Paper wasps live in colonies headed by a single queen who starts the nest in spring.
The queen lays eggs that develop into female workers who then help expand the colony and care for new offspring.
Their nests have a unique umbrella shape with exposed cells that resemble small hexagonal paper combs.
These nests are often found hanging from:
- Eaves of buildings
- Tree branches
- Porch ceilings
- Window frames
- Attic spaces
Unlike yellowjackets, paper wasps are generally less aggressive when unprovoked.
However, they will defend their nests if threatened, delivering painful stings.
Polistes major is a notable paper wasp species that has been documented in Georgia, though it was previously more common in Florida.
Paper wasps are considered beneficial insects as they help control garden pests by feeding on caterpillars and other insects.
A single colony can consume thousands of pest insects during a season.
The paper wasp lifecycle follows seasonal patterns, with colonies dying off in winter except for fertilized queens who hibernate and start new colonies the following spring.
Mud Dauber
The Black and Yellow Mud Dauber (Sceliphron Caementarium) is a distinctive wasp found throughout Georgia.
These insects are primarily black with bright yellow markings across their body and legs.
Unlike aggressive wasp species, mud daubers are generally non-aggressive toward humans.
They rarely sting unless directly handled or threatened, making them less concerning than other wasp varieties.
Mud daubers get their name from their unique nesting habits.
They construct their homes using mud collected from puddles and wet areas.
These artistic insects create pipe-shaped nests that resemble small clay pots or tubes.
Spider hunters extraordinaire, these wasps play an important ecological role.
They capture and paralyze spiders, which they pack into their mud nests as food for their developing larvae.
A single mud dauber nest may contain dozens of paralyzed spiders!
Scientists at the University of Florida and University of Georgia have enlisted citizen scientists to locate mud dauber nests across the state.
This research helps track wasp populations and monitor their prey selection.
Mud daubers have even been used to help scientists track invasive spider species.
Researchers have examined the contents of mud dauber nests to monitor exotic spiders like the Joro spider in northeastern Georgia.
These wasps belong to the family Sphecidae or Crabronidae. The scientific name Sceliphron caementarium specifically refers to the common Black and Yellow Mud Dauber variety found throughout Georgia.
Great Golden Digger Wasp
The Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex Ichneumoneus) is a stunning solitary wasp found throughout North America, including Georgia.
Its scientific name “ichneumoneus” comes from the Greek word for “tracker,” highlighting its hunting abilities.
These wasps are easily identified by their vibrant golden-orange body with black markings.
They typically measure about 1-1.5 inches long, with long legs and transparent wings that have an amber tint.
Unlike social wasps that live in colonies, the Great Golden Digger is a solitary wasp that lives and works alone.
Females dig distinctive burrows in the soil where they will lay their eggs.
The Great Golden Digger displays fascinating hunting behavior.
They paralyze prey like crickets and katydids with their stinger, then drag them back to their burrow. The paralyzed insects serve as fresh food for their larvae.
Despite their intimidating appearance, these wasps are gentle and non-aggressive toward humans. They rarely sting unless handled or severely threatened.
Scientists currently study these wasps for their behavioral responses, particularly their hunting patterns and nesting habits.
These beneficial insects help control pest populations and serve as important pollinators.
They can often be spotted visiting milkweed flowers and other nectar sources during summer months.
Blue-winged Wasp
The Blue-winged Wasp (Scolia Dubia) is a striking insect commonly found in Georgia gardens.
Adults measure between 0.8-1.0 inches (2.0-2.5 cm) long with a distinctive appearance that makes them easy to identify.
These wasps have a black body with two bright yellow spots on their abdomen.
Their wings display a beautiful bluish-purple sheen that gives them their common name.
When flying around flowers, their metallic wings catch the sunlight in an eye-catching way.
Unlike aggressive wasp species, blue-winged wasps are “solitary wasps” that live independently rather than in colonies.
Each female builds her own nest and cares for her offspring alone.
Garden Benefits:
- Natural pest control
- Targets harmful beetle grubs
- Minimal threat to humans
- Helps maintain garden ecosystem
Blue-winged wasps serve as excellent natural pest controllers in Georgia gardens.
They are particularly effective against Japanese beetle grubs, which can damage lawns and plants.
The female wasp hunts for grubs in the soil, paralyzes them with her sting, and lays eggs on them.
When the wasp larvae hatch, they feed on the paralyzed grubs, effectively reducing beetle populations.
Though they can sting if handled or threatened, these wasps are generally non-aggressive toward humans.
They’re more interested in feeding on flower nectar and hunting grubs than interacting with people.
Gardeners should welcome these beneficial insects as they help control pest populations naturally without the need for chemical pesticides. Their presence indicates a healthy garden ecosystem.
Four-toothed Mason Wasp
The Four-toothed Mason Wasp (Monobia Quadridens) is a beneficial insect commonly found in Georgia gardens.
Its striking appearance features a black body with white markings, making it easily recognizable despite being often confused with the Bald-faced Hornet.
This wasp is considered solitary, meaning it does not live in large colonies like other wasp species.
Adult wasps measure approximately 3/4 to 1 inch in length, with females typically larger than males.
Four-toothed Mason Wasp physical characteristics:
- Color: Black with white markings
- Size: 3/4 to 1 inch in length
- Wings: Dark, semi-transparent
- Distinguishing feature: Less slender than similar species, without a mid-abdominal stripe
Garden enthusiasts should welcome these wasps as they serve as natural pest control.
The Four-toothed Mason Wasp collects caterpillars to feed to its young, helping to reduce populations of these garden pests.
These wasps can frequently be seen visiting flowers in Georgia gardens, especially during summer months.
They’re particularly attracted to Spotted Bee Balm and other nectar-rich blooms.
Unlike more aggressive wasp species, the Four-toothed Mason Wasp rarely stings humans unless directly handled or threatened.
They focus their energy on nest-building and provision collecting rather than defending territory.
For nesting, females create cells in existing cavities like hollow plant stems or abandoned beetle holes.
Each cell gets provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars before an egg is laid, ensuring the developing larva has adequate food.
Red Wasp
The Red Paper Wasp (Polistes carolina) is one of two species of red paper wasps found in the eastern United States, including Georgia.
These wasps are easily identified by their rusty red coloration and the distinctive fine ridges on their propodeum.
Red wasps typically measure between 1.5-2.25 cm in length. They often display yellow patterns or banding that complement their predominant reddish-brown color, making them stand out in their natural habitats.
In Georgia, these social insects create paper-like nests in sheltered locations such as eaves, porches, and tree branches.
They construct these nests by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with their saliva to form a papery material.
Key Identification Features:
- Rusty red or reddish-brown coloration
- Fine ridges on propodeum (distinguishes from similar species)
- Yellow markings or bands on body
- Paper-like nests with hexagonal cells
Polistes carolina is often confused with Polistes rubiginosus, another red wasp species found in the southeastern United States.
Both are commonly referred to simply as “red wasps” or “paper wasps.”
While red wasps can deliver painful stings when threatened, they serve beneficial roles in the ecosystem.
They are predators of many garden pests, helping to control caterpillar and other insect populations naturally.
It’s advisable to maintain a safe distance from their nests. These wasps become more defensive when protecting their colonies, especially during late summer when nest populations peak.
