Vespidae

Definition

A large, cosmopolitan family of wasps in the order Hymenoptera, superfamily Vespoidea, encompassing nearly all eusocial wasps and many solitary species. Social vespids construct nests from chewed plant fibers forming paper (polistines and vespines) or from mud (many other groups); colonies typically contain a single reproductive queen, sterile female workers, and seasonal males. Solitary members include potter wasps (Eumeninae) and pollen wasps (Masarinae). The family includes ecologically significant predators, pollinators, and several economically important pest species.

Etymology

From Latin vespa 'wasp' + family suffix -idae

Example

The yellowjacket Vespula vulgaris and the European hornet Vespa crabro are vespines within Vespidae, while the solitary potter wasp Eumenes fraternus belongs to the subfamily Eumeninae.

Related Terms

• Vespoidea
• Hymenoptera
• Aculeata
• Eusocial
• Polistinae
• Vespinae
• Eumeninae
• Masarinae
• Yellowjacket
• hornet
• paper wasp

Usage Notes

Vespidae is a family-rank taxon; informal use of 'vespid' or 'vespid wasp' refers to any member. The family is distinguished from bees (Apoidea) and ants (Formicidae) within Vespoidea by morphology and behavior, though some masarine pollen wasps converge with bees in pollen-collecting ecology. Social vespids are often called 'wasps' in vernacular usage, but this term applies more broadly to many Hymenoptera.