Pollen Wasp

Related Wasp and Bee Info Types of Bees Types of Wasps

Pollen wasps (Masarinae) are so named because of their practice of feeding their young pollen, rather than insects or spiders, the traditional young wasp diet.

From afar, they resemble a variety of different wasp species, including the yellowjacket. A closer look reveals a pair of club antenna, uncommon among wasps, and a distinct abdominal stripe pattern.

Pollen wasps live in the Western United States, including the Rocky Mountain region. The top picture shows the species, Pseudomasaris edwardsii.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels