Every spring we find a few of these really huge brown wasps in our house. I know they're queens and that they're not aggressive yet because they don't have a nest, but I can't figure out what kind of wasp it is. There is no yellow on them at all. They have really long, thin bodies that are dark brown or almost black. They're probably around three inches long, give or take.. Any ideas?
2007-03-10 02:54:41 · 5 answers · asked by Somebody 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
I live in southern Pennsylvania, if that helps at all. :)
2007-03-10 03:16:44 · update #1
It may be one of many varieties of paper wasps, possibly the northern paper wasp ( Polistes fuscatus) many of them can reach quite impressive lengths. It may not necessarily be a queen you are seeing, and they may not be aggressive due to the cold. These wasps are in the family Vespidae, and are the typical paper nest builders.
Here are some images of the potential species:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/6722
http://bugguide.net/node/view/45684
http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=large+wasp
I hope this helps!
2007-03-10 04:05:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
they are probably solitary wasps, a kind of of pompilid or sphecid wasp. It sounds way to large to be a paper wasp.
It could be a tarantula killer (tarantula hawk), that's one of the largest wasps I can think which doesn't have yellow or white markings. Check out the link for an image of one. They do have noticeably reddish brown wings. Particularly if you live in the southwest you may see some.
Otherwise google image sphecid wasp or pompilid wasp and see if anything looks familar.
2007-03-10 18:27:45 · answer #2 · answered by eintigerchen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have seen them out east. I don't know either, sorry! I am curious to see answers come in on this one too. I know they will sting if provoked. They are kinda fun to watch, LOL! They have been around a long time they are not new just not common.
I don't go for just killing other creatures either.
Peace!
2007-03-10 11:00:36 · answer #3 · answered by Jamie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they could be solitary wasps, more calm than their community cousins, these live by themselves and catch say caterpllars to lay an egg on to feed their babies. never seen one three inches long though, that's pretty big.
2007-03-10 16:51:20 · answer #4 · answered by Tim C 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they might be a new species. i have never seen a wasp like that before. or maybe they're what you said are queens that dont have a nest yet. where do you live? that could narrow down the species a bit.
2007-03-10 11:00:33 · answer #5 · answered by Wammeze 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋