social wasp

noun

1. any of several wasps, as the hornets or yellowjackets, that live together in a community.

Word History and Origins

Origin of social wasp¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

No amount of explaining wasps’ role in the order of things or the ecological services they provide will make anyone want the nest of a social wasp along a walkway, under the porch eaves or in any high-traffic area.

From Seattle Times

Like any other social wasp, they will defend their nest if the colony is disrupted.

From Washington Post

Social wasp nests are constructed from wood fibres collected and then mixed with water by industrious wasp workers to make a kind of papier maché capable of producing very strong and long-lasting structures.

From BBC

Polybia paulista is an aggressive social wasp endemic in south-east Brazil.

From BBC

Closely related, but much less social, wasp species couldn't achieve that same feat of recognition.

From Science Magazine