"Zootal" wrote in message
...


There are ~300 species and subspecies in genus Polistes. The Europen paper
wasp is just one, and is quite common in the west and south west US. Where
do you live?

LOL! Yorkshire, England.

The difference between the paper wasps and, say, the yellowjacket, is how
much it takes to get them to sting. Yellowjackets are usually considered
to be much more aggressive.

They are, but I think they're only defensive - there's a difference.

You can pick up a honey bee in your hand and it might not sting you.

Might not, it depends how you do it. I kept honeybees for twenty five year
so know a bit about it.

You can hold a bumble in your hand. Do that with a yellowjacket and it
will most likely sting. I kill yellowjackets and bald face hornets with
extreme prejudice. I welcome all other types of bees and wasps.

I never kill wasps or bees of any kind. Most yellowjackets can't be picked
up like bumble bees, they don't let themselves get into the same situations.

Any animal will defend itself, it perceives pain as a threat to its
integrity so does its best to prevent further harm.

Only humans, I believe, are unreasonably aggressive.

Mary