Did You Know That Wasps Kill Mosquitoes?
WouterSeveral species of mosquitoes have the ability to transmit deadly diseases. For example, the eastern equine encephalitis is a disease transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. This disease has been reported to infect 38 people in the US, and it was known to cause neurological damage to survivors.
Wasps aren’t known for their mosquito-killing skills, though. They mainly eat other insects, including fruit, beetles, and spiders. They also build nests in trees and bushes, and secrete a nest building substance.
While wasps can’t completely eliminate mosquitoes, they do play a role in reducing the mosquito population. They are also known to help control spider and caterpillar populations.
Wasps feed on a wide variety of foods, including nectar, fruit, and honeydew. They also eat insect larvae. Some species of wasps will actually eat other mosquito larvae.
Wasps sting, however, if they feel threatened. They do this to defend themselves. It’s a sign that they’re trying to protect their nests from being disturbed. They do this by injecting venom into the victim. This pain is much more intense than a bee’s sting, and they can sting many times in a single second.
While some people may feel a little frightened by bees, they are actually docile by nature. Bees don’t sting unless they’re threatened.
A parasitic wasp, however, is a different story. These insects evade human immune systems by secreting a protein coat on their body, similar to the process by which we get a tan. They also inject paralytic poison into their prey.
