Most species of concern to man have yellow and black coloring; 1/16 to 5/8 inch long; appear to have hairy bodies. Live in colonies of from 20,000 to 80,000 individuals; will leave humans alone if not provoked. Their diet is nectar and pollen. Only one egg-laying queen in a hive; queen may live as long as five years and lay as many as 1500 to 2000 eggs per day; worker females protect eggs and the young; drones' only duty is to mate with queen, after which they die. Stings can be painful, but are harmless to most people; however, dangerous allergic reactions can occur.

Carpenter Bee
Genus Xylocopa

Large, about one inch, resemble bumble-bees; some species may have a blue-black, green or purple metallic sheen; Often burrow into the exposed, unfinished dry wood of buildings, telephone poles, fence posts and bridges; prefer softer woods for nesting; not social insects, although individuals may establish burrows close to each other. Their diet is pollen and nectar. Complete one generation per year in most of the U.S.; mature from egg to adult in from 84 to 99 days; female furnishes nest with "bee bread," a mixture of pollen and regurgitated nectar, and lays an egg on top of it. Damage to wood from a pair of bees is slight, but a larger number can, over a period of time, cause considerable damage; males do not sting, but females have a potent sting which they rarely use; make loud buzzing noise when flying.

Wasps - Yellowjackets
Order Hymenoptera

Variety of shapes and colors; can be distinguished from bees by their smooth, rather than hairy, bodies; 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. Exhibit predatory and scavenging behavior; some species are solitary, while other live in colonies which may number thousands of individuals. Diet is primarily protein such as spiders and soft-bodied insects, and small animals. 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. Very protective of their nests; will defend against invaders with painful stings.

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