Wasps

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Order Hymenoptera

Appearance
- Variety of shapes and colors
- Can be distinguished from bees by their smooth bodies
- 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch long
Diet
- Spiders and soft-bodied insects
Habits
- Exhibit predatory and scavenging behavior
- Some species are solitary, while others live in colonies which may number thousands of individuals
Reproduction
- Social wasps begin a nest with one queen laying all eggs for colony
- If a queen dies, a worker can take over egg-laying function until colony produces new queen
Other Information
- Very protective of their nests; will defend against invaders with painful stings