Are Wasps Beneficial to Humans?

Despite the bad rap wasps have received, they actually perform a number of important functions. They pollinate plants, provide ecosystem services, and kill pest insects. They are also surprisingly nutritious. Their venom has antimicrobial properties.

Wasps may be useful in places where bees are not native. Their venom contains a compound called mastoparan, which has cancer-cell killing properties. This compound may also offer a new approach to treating cancer.

Wasps are a common summer visitor. They are found in flower beds, gardens, and yards. They feed on nectar and honeydew, as well as sugary drinks. Their stings are painful and cause swelling.

Wasps have a wide variety of life-cycles, including solitary and social. Some wasp species build nests around dwellings. In tropical countries, they are often harvested for food. They can be beneficial for gardens, but they also have the potential to cause problems.

They are known to sting humans, but the sting is typically not as painful as the one delivered by a spider. Generally, only a few species of wasps cause a problem with humans.

There is some evidence that wasps can serve as important pollinators, but they may not be as efficient as bees. Their stings may also help to control pests.

Wasps also perform other important functions, such as removing insect poop. They may also be useful as environmental monitors. They may even play an important role in helping to maintain ecosystem balance.

There are 33,000 different species of stinging wasps in the world. Many of these species carry a stinger, but only a few create conflict with humans.