wasp, any member of a large group of insects in the order Hymenoptera, suborder Apocrita, some of which are stinging. Wasps are distinguished from the ants and bees of Apocrita by various behavioral and physical characteristics, particularly their possession of a slender, smooth body and legs with relatively few hairs.

Learn the types of WASPS & HORNETS you can find in the United States, and how to identify them. How many of these species have YOU seen?

Wasps get a bad rap as unwanted picnic guests and unrelenting stingers, but did you know the majority of them aren't aggressive at all? And many wasps don't even sport black- and yellow-striped bodies? Here's how to identify the 19 most common types of wasps you may encounter.

Easy Wasp Identification: A Visual Guide to 19 Common Types of Wasps

A wasp is any insect that belongs to the suborder Apocrita within the order Hymenoptera, excluding bees and ants. Unlike bees, which are generally stocky and covered with hair, wasps possess slender, elongated bodies with a characteristic narrow waist (petiole).

The wasp family, broad in its diversity, boasts over 100,000 distinct species across our planet. I bet you've heard of these types of wasps: hornets and yellow jackets. Both are known perpetrators of painful stings but are also integral to the ecosystem. They are just a tiny part of this vast and diverse assemblage. Stick with us as we journey into 21 species, bringing you closer to these ...