Quiz Answers: Wasps and Bees

Here are the answers to yesterdays quiz on wasps and bees. Both insects are most often beneficial to yards and the world - but care is required in each case to avoid painful stings. 

1. The true statement is (b) all yellowjackets are wasps. Yellowjacket wasps are a variety of  "social wasp" often found in southern California.

2. Paper wasps make their nests (d) under the eaves of houses - this is where we most often find paper wasps in the city. In more rural areas their nests may be seen under tree branches or vines - so give yourself credit if you chose (b) in trees.

3. Honey bees are attracted to (a) flowers. If you spot a buzzing insect flying around your picnic table it is probably a wasp.

4. Yellowjackets are attracted to (d) all of the above: soda cans, meat (giving them the common misnomer "meat bees") and other insects - an important part of their diet.

5. Only female bees and wasps can inflict stings because (a) the stinger is a modified egg-laying apparatus. Although it is true that male bees spend most of their time in the hive, and that females are more aggressive, the plain physiological fact is that the stinger is a gender-specific organ.

6. The insect pictured above is a (a) yellowjacket wasp. Note the distinctive markings, narrow waist, and absence of hair (see question 7). The pictured insect is in fact a German yellowjacket queen.

7. Although bees and wasps are often confused, they can be distinguished by the wasp's narrow waist, the bee's thickened hairs, and the distinct markings and coloration of each insect. While honey bees are mustard-colored and black, yellowjackets are usually a brighter yellow - hence the name.

8. Wasps are important to the balance of nature in several ways. They are used in agricultural pest control, as a natural predator for destructive bugs, and they are an important part of the food chain. However, they do not supply foot for other insects, and as far as we know they are not used in drug research. So the correct answer is (a) parasitic wasps are used in agricultural pest control.

We hope you've learned something useful about the flying insects that share space with you here in Southern California. The bottom line is that bees and wasps can inflict painful stings, and should not be allowed to nest on or near homes. They have important roles to play in the ecology, but can pose risks especially to children, pets and the elderly. The best way to eliminate a nest that becomes a threat to your home is to call a licensed professional.

Tuesday's Quiz: Wasps and Bees

Today's quiz poses questions that will lead to better identification of wasps and bees. How are they different? How do they impact residents of San Diego? Take the quiz and see how much you know about the local buzz.

1. Which of the following statements is true:

a. All bees are yellowjackets.

b. All yellowjackets are wasps.

c. All wasps are yellowjackets.

d. All yellowjackets are bees.

2. Paper wasps make their nests

a. in paper

b. in trees

c. in abandoned rodent burrows

d. under the eaves of houses

3. Honey bees are attracted to

a. flowers

b. meat

c. other insects

d. all of the above

4. Yellowjackets are attracted to

a. soda cans

b. meat

c. other insects

d. all of the above

5. Only female bees and wasps can inflict stings because

a. the stinger is a modified egg-laying apparatus

b. male bees are not allowed outside the hive

c. female bees are more aggressive

d. the stinger usually remains in the skin, and female bees are expendable

6. The insect pictured above is a

a. yellowjacket

b.  bee

c.  wasp

d.  hornet

7. Although bees and wasps share many qualities, they can be distinguished by

a. the wasp's narrow waist

b. the bee's thickened hairs

c. the distinct marks and coloration of each insect

d. all of the above

8. Although wasps do not pollinate nor make honey, they are important because

a. parasitic wasps are used in agricultural pest control

b. social wasps supply food for other insects

c. wasps are used in research for drug studies

d. all of the above

Meat Wasp Attack

According to a recent article in the La Jolla Light, a small group of children were attacked by "meat wasps" while exploring La Jolla Summit canyon last week. Because the wasps were so aggressive and the children were stung multiple times, it was originally assumed they were attacked by Africanized Honey Bees. Two of the children were taken to Rady Children's and Scripps hospitals for treatment , where they identified the insects as meat wasps.

Apparently, the children stumbled on a hive just before dusk, disturbing the insects and causing them to aggressively defend their territory. Although one 6-year-old was stung more than 50 times, all the children were fine - fortunately, none were allergic to wasp stings. They were able to run to a neighbor's house, who then called paramedics and washed away remaining insects.

The story ends well, but raises a few questions for residents of San Diego County. First, what are "meat wasps"? How common are they? And how might the attack have been prevented? 

In the western United States, there are two distinct types of social wasps: yellowjackets and paper wasps. Of the two, paper wasps are much less defensive and rarely sting humans. Yellowjackets can be more troublesome. The term "yellowjacket" refers to a number of different species of wasps.  The western yellowjacket  (Vespula pensylvanica - pictured above) is a ground-nesting variety, sometimes called a "meat bee." This is most likely the insect from the La Jolla story. Unlike other local wasps whose nests usually die out by the end of summer, the western yellowjacket continues its life cycle well into late autumn. These pestiferous wasps are the ones we sometimes see at picnics or outdoor eateries, because they are scavengers. They usually nest in  hilly areas - often using abandoned rodent burrows for their hives. While they are considered a useful pest because they help naturally control other more destructive insects, yellowjackets will protect their nest if they feel threatened. This seems to be what happened in La Jolla. 

The children probably did nothing wrong, but their encounter should serve as a learning experience for others in the area. If your children are playing in a canyon or undeveloped area, be sure they are wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts and proper footwear. Apply the same precautions to yourself if you are hiking off trail. Be aware of sights and sounds that may indicate hive activity and avoid exploration near possible nesting sites. Tomorrow's quiz will look at the differences between bees, wasps and hornets. Give the quiz a try to test your knowledge of these stinging bugs and learn how to avoid them.