\Wasp\, n. [OE. waspe, AS. w[ae]ps, w[ae]fs; akin to D.
wesp, G. wespe, OHG. wafsa, wefsa, Lith. vapsa gadfly, Russ.
osa wasp, L. vespa, and perhaps to E. weave.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of stinging hymenopterous
insects, esp. any of the numerous species of the genus
{Vespa}, which includes the true, or social, wasps, some of
which are called {yellow jackets}.
Note: The social wasps make a complex series of combs, of a
      substance like stiff paper, often of large size, and
      protect them by a paperlike covering. The larv[ae] are
      reared in the cells of the combs, and eat insects and
      insect larv[ae] brought to them by the adults, but the
      latter feed mainly on the honey and pollen of flowers,
      and on the sweet juices of fruit. See Illust. in
      Appendix.
{Digger wasp}, any one of numerous species of solitary wasps
   that make their nests in burrows which they dig in the
   ground, as the sand wasps. See {Sand wasp}, under {Sand}.
{Mud wasp}. See under {Mud}.
{Potter wasp}. See under {Potter}.
{Wasp fly}, a species of fly resembling a wasp, but without a
   sting.