The Social Wasps of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, Second Edition ²⁶

The Social Wasps of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean explores the fascinating lives of social wasps, including hornets and yellowjackets, which use teamwork to build complex societies and architectural wonders. Although they represent only a fraction of the thousands of species in North and Central America, these wasps are almost solely responsible for giving the group a bad reputation. This beautifully illustrated field guide covers all known species of social wasps, from the high Arctic of Greenland and Alaska to the tropical forests of Panama and Grenada.

Ideal for beginners, experts, and everyone in between, this book is the ultimate guide to these beneficial yet misunderstood insects.

Key Features

• More than 900 full-color illustrations, over 300 maps, and dozens of photographs
• Covers over 200 species, including dozens of regional color forms
• Detailed face and body patterns of queens, males, and workers
• Species accounts describing key identification features, size, nests, and habitat
• Comprehensive discussion on ecology, evolution, taxonomy, anatomy, life cycle, behavior, nest architecture, conservation, and the critical roles wasps play in the environment
• Tips and tricks for species identification and avoiding painful stings
• Extensive glossary and references