family Vespidae
Noun: - Family Vespidae: A taxonomic family within the order Hymenoptera, comprising social and solitary wasps. This family is characterized by members that typically fold their wings longitudinally at rest and includes many common species such as yellow jackets, hornets, and paper wasps.
The term "Family Vespidae" is used in scientific and biological contexts to classify a specific group of insects. - The researcher studied the nesting behavior of several species within the Family Vespidae. - Family Vespidae is known for including both eusocial and solitary wasp species.
- In taxonomic hierarchy: The term is used to denote a precise level of biological classification (family), which sits between order and genus.
- The common paper wasp belongs to the genus Polistes within the Family Vespidae.
- Vespid (noun/adjective): A member of the Family Vespidae; pertaining to this family.
- Vespids are distinguished from other wasps by their wing-folding behavior.
- Vespoid (adjective): Relating to or resembling wasps of the superfamily Vespoidea, which includes Vespidae.
- Vespid wasps: A common name for members of this family.
- Social wasps: A descriptive term for the eusocial members of this family, though not all Vespids are social.
This is a specialized scientific term. In everyday language, people typically refer to the common names of its members (e.g., hornet, yellow jacket) rather than the taxonomic family name itself.
- an arthropod family of the order Hymenoptera including: yellow jackets; hornets; mason wasps