Can You Eat Wasps Honey?

Unlike bees, wasps don’t produce honey. Instead, they collect nectar from flowers. This syrup-like substance is often compared to molasses. However, it has a slightly less sweet flavor and tends to be bolder and darker in color.

Wasps are carnivorous, meaning that they eat other insects and fruits. Their diet is mostly focused on insects and nectar. They also have mouthparts designed to extract liquid from plants.

There are many different types of wasps, but only two species produce honey. These two species are the Mexican honey wasp and the bald-faced hornet. Both species are found in subtropical Central America and in parts of the U.S. They have been collected and considered delicacies in some cultures.

Honey wasps collect nectar from extrafloral nectaries on leaves. These nectars have a higher concentration of sugar than flower nectar. They also collect honey from neighboring beehives.

The Mexican honey wasp is a popular delicacy in many cultures. Honey wasps can be found throughout south-eastern Arizona and in subtropical Central America.

However, the bald-faced hornet isn’t a honey producer. It lacks fur, making it unable to collect pollen. Its mouthparts also make it difficult to transfer pollen.

Some people consider honey from wasps to be unsafe. It contains atropine, a poisonous chemical. The Schmidt Sting Pain Index rates honey wasps as a two on a pain scale. However, it is believed that wasps aren’t aggressive unless they’re provoked. If left alone, they aren’t likely to cause any problems.