Wasp

Wasp

Noun · /wɒsp/ · a slender, stinging insect of the order Hymenoptera, characterised by its yellow-and-black banding and defensive aggression

Definition

A wasp is a winged insect belonging to the order Hymenoptera — the same order as bees and ants — but distinguished by its narrow waist, smooth body, and ability to sting repeatedly. Unlike bees, which die after stinging, wasps retain their stinger and can sting multiple times. The most familiar wasps in Britain are the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and the German wasp (Vespula germanica), both of which build papery nests from chewed wood fibres and are most aggressive in late summer when their colonies are at peak size and natural food sources are declining.

Etymology

The word comes directly from Old English wæsp or wæps, which in turn derives from the Proto-Germanic wabisō. The same root produced the German word Wespe and the Latin vespa, from which the Italian motor scooter brand Vespa takes its name — the scooter's narrow body and buzzing engine reminded its designers of the insect. The word has been a constant in English for over a thousand years, which is a testament to just how consistently the wasp has made its presence felt in human life.