Wasp Life Cycle

The Wasps Life Cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The queen wasp lays eggs in a nest that she has built herself. The eggs hatch into larvae, which eat the food provided by their mother. After this stage, they become pupae and then emerge as adults, completing the cycle essential for the continuation of their species. The life cycle of a wasp takes about 40 to 60 days. In this article, we will learn about Life cycle stages, diagrams, and the role of wasps in a colony.

What is the Wasp Life Cycle?

Wasps belong to the order Hymenoptera, which includes various families. Common families of wasps include Vespidae (e.g., yellowjackets and paper wasps), Ichneumonidae, and Braconidae, among others. Wasps go through four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. After mating, a new queen wasp flies away to start a new colony in a tree, shrub, or under a building eave. The queen lays eggs in the nest, and the larvae feed on the food provided by their mother. After this stage, they become pupae and then develop as adults. The life cycle of a wasp depends on the species, but most wasps live for about a year.

Wasp Life Cycle Diagram

Given below is the diagram of the Life Cycle of the Wasp.

Wasp Life Cycle Stages

The life cycle of a wasp can vary among different species, but generally follows a pattern of complete metamorphosis, consisting of four main stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The life cycle of the wasp is explained below:

Egg Laying Stage

The egg stage of a wasp’s life cycle begins in the spring when the queen wasp emerges from hibernation.

• She builds a honeycomb-like cell structure out of wood fiber. In each cell of the new nest, the queen lays a single egg. She lays around 200 to 300 eggs in a day.
• The eggs hatch into a larva in 5‒8 days. The larvae feed on the food brought back by the workers and grow into new worker wasps.
• After they have completed their first moult, worker wasps starts gathering food and building their nest.
• Towards the end of summer or the beginning of autumn, as the nest approaches its maximum size, the queen initiates the laying of the last batch of eggs. These will become future queens and unfertilized drones.

Larva Stage

The larval stage of a wasp is when the larvae hatch from eggs and eat other larvae and eggs in the nest. 

• Larvae are small, white, and grub-like, with no legs. They resemble maggots or caterpillars.
• During this stage, the queen wasp feeds the larvae with protein-rich food, such as spiders and insects. The larvae eat and mature, outgrowing their skin, growing a new layer, and shedding the old one. This process is called molting.
• After five growth-molts, usually two weeks later, the larvae spin a cocoon in the cell and enter the pupal stage. About a week later, the adult worker wasp emerges from the pupal case.

Pupal Stage

During the pupal stage, the larvae transform into adult wasps. The pupal stage can last for several weeks, depending on the species of wasp and the temperature

• As the larvae mature, they enter the pupal stage, during which they undergo metamorphosis.
• It takes 8-18 days before an adult worker wasp emerges from the pupal case.
• As the wasp pupates, it goes through a transformation process, growing legs, wings, and developing visibly separate body parts (head, thorax, abdomen) and eyes.

Adult Stage

The adult stage of a wasp is when it emerges from a cocoon as an adult wasp. 

• The total time it takes for a wasp to go from egg to adult is approximately 28-48 days, although the length of time spent in each stage is determined by environmental conditions.
• Once fully developed, the adult wasp is responsible for:
  • Building and maintaining the nest.
  • Foraging for food.
  • Protecting the colony.
• Wasps can be up to one and a half inches long and come in a variety of colors including red, yellow, orange, white, and blue.
• Wasps continually grow their nests to house the rising numbers of insects in the colony. Nest of some species are large whereas some have have small and compact nest.

Wasp Eggs

Wasp eggs are whitish in color and look like small grains of rice. In the spring, the queen wasp wakes up from hibernation and builds a honeycomb-like cell structure out of wood fiber. 

• The queen then lays a single egg in each cell of the new nest.
• The queen wasp can lay up to 300 eggs per day.
• The eggs are white and oval-shaped.
• The egg hatches into a larva in 5‒8 days.
• The larvae feed on regurgitated insects and nectar.
• The larvae spin cocoons and pupate after about 2 weeks.
• The pupae emerge as adult wasps after about 2 weeks.

Role of Wasp in the Colony

Wasps are social insects that live in colonies, consisting of a queen, workers, and sometimes males. The roles within a wasp colony can vary based on the species. The general role of the wasp in the colony is explained below:

Queen

The queen is the reproductive female in the colony.

• She lays eggs, often in the cells of a nest and contributes to the expansion and survival of the colony.
• The queen exerts dominance over the colony and releases pheromones that regulate the behavior and reproductive status of other members.

Workers

Worker wasps are responsible for collecting food for the colony.

• They search for nectar, pollen, and other resources, contributing to the nutritional needs of the entire colony.
• Workers build and maintain the nest, which can be made of paper in some species.
• They use a mixture of saliva and wood fibers to construct and repair the nest.

Drones

• Drones are male wasps with the primary purpose of mating with new queens.
• They typically do not participate in nest building, foraging, or other tasks performed by workers.
• After mating, drones usually die.

Soldiers or Guards

In some species, there are specialized wasps that act as soldiers or guards. They defend the colony against predators and intruders, often displaying aggressive behavior.

Nurse Wasps

Some worker wasps take on the role of nursing the developing larvae. They feed and care for the eggs and larvae, ensuring their healthy development.

Foragers

Specific workers may specialize in foraging for specific resources. For example, some may focus on collecting nectar, while others gather protein sources like insects.

Scouts

Scouts are individuals that venture out from the colony to search for new sources of food and suitable nesting sites. They play a crucial role in colony expansion and survival.

How Long Does Wasp Live?

The lifespan of a wasp can vary depending on the species and environmental factors. The life span of different members of the wasp is as follows:

• Queen Wasps: The lifespan of a queen wasp can range from a few months to over a year, depending on the species. Some queens can survive through the winter to start a new colony in the following spring.
• Worker Wasps: Worker wasps, which are sterile females, have a much shorter lifespan compared to queens. They live for a few weeks to a few months during the summer months when they are active in the colony.
• Male Wasps: Male wasps, also called drones, generally have the shortest lifespan. They live for a few weeks and their primary purpose is to mate with a queen.

Conclusion – Wasp Life Cycle

Wasps undergo a metamorphic life cycle consisting of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The wasp life cycle begins when the queen lays eggs in cells within the nest. As the larvae mature, they undergo metamorphosis and enters the pupal stage. Gradually it develops as a fully formed adult wasps. Influenced by environmental factors and roles within the colony the duration of the life cycle of wasps varies across species. Worker wasps, with shorter lifespans, support the queen, while males play an important role in reproduction. The life cycle ensures the survival and continuation of the wasp colony.

FAQs on Wasp Life Cycle

What is the Life Cycle of a Wasp?

The life cycle of a wasp includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages, with distinct behaviors and forms during each phase.

What do Wasp Larvae Eat?

Wasp larvae are carnivorous and eat smaller insects that adult wasps have hunted.

Where do Wasps Build their Nests?

Wasps build nests in various locations, including underground burrows, tree branches, building eaves, and sheltered areas, using materials like paper or mud.

How Long is the Life Cycle of a Wasp?

The life cycle of a wasp can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the species. It takes about 28–48 days from egg to adult, but the length of time spent in each stage is determined by environmental conditions.

Do Wasps Build Nests Close to Each Other?

In general, wasps are territorial and will not build their nests near other wasp nests. However, social wasps, such as yellowjackets, hornets, and paper wasps, may build their nests close to each other.

What is Wasp Life Cycle Timeline?

The wasp life cycle begins with egg laying by the queen, followed by hatching into larvae. Larvae pupate and undergo metamorphosis into adult wasps. The duration varies by species, typically spanning weeks to months.

How are Wasps Different from Bees?

Wasps have smoother bodies and brighter colors than bees, and some are predatory. Unlike bees, they have smooth stingers and exhibit more aggressive behavior in their colonies.