Why Wasps and Hornets Matter

Protecting insect biodiversity

🔍 What are wasps and hornets?

• Wasps: Broad term covering solitary and social species in families like Vespidae, Ichneumonidae, and Sphecidae.

• Hornets: A type of large social wasp (Vespa spp.), e.g. European hornet (Vespa crabro).

• Most wasps are non-aggressive, and less than 1% of species sting humans.

🌿 Ecosystem Roles

1. Natural Pest Controllers

• Predators and parasitoids of caterpillars, aphids, beetles, and flies.

• Solitary wasps lay eggs inside or on prey — a natural insecticide!

• Social wasps feed colonies with insect prey — up to 14,000 prey items per colony per summer (e.g. Vespula vulgaris).

🧪 Example: Wasps reduce crop pests like cabbage white caterpillars (Pieris brassicae) in home gardens and farms.

2. Pollinators (Yes, really!)

• While not as hairy as bees, many wasps visit flowers for nectar.

• Crucial for pollination of figs, orchids, and wild plants.

• Some fig species rely solely on fig wasps for reproduction — a textbook example of co-evolution.

🌸 Fact: Polistes paper wasps regularly pollinate milkweed, goldenrod, and wild mint.

3. Biodiversity Indicators

• Sensitive to habitat changes — good indicators of ecosystem health.

• Declines in wasp diversity often reflect broader biodiversity losses.

⚠️ Common Myths Debunked

Myth: Wasps are pointless pests

Truth: Wasps are top-level insect predators and pollinators.

Myth: They sting for no reason

Truth: Most stings occur when nests are disturbed; solitary wasps rarely sting.

Myth: All wasps are yellow jackets

Truth: There are over 9,000 wasp species in the UK alone. Most don’t resemble yellow jackets.

🛠️ How You Can Help

• Don’t destroy nests unless absolutely necessary.

• Plant nectar-rich flowers: Wasps love fennel, angelica, ivy, and umbellifers.

• Avoid pesticides — they harm beneficial wasps.

• Leave dead wood and bare soil for solitary nesting species.

🌿 Tip: Ivy in autumn is vital for feeding late-flying wasps.

📚 Want to Learn More?

• Sumner (2022). Endless Forms: The Secret World of Wasps

Rebugged Says:

Wasps and hornets aren’t villains, they’re the unsung heroes of healthy ecosystems. Let's rebug our attitudes and give these misunderstood insects the credit they deserve.