Did You Know That Wasps Like Meat?
WouterDespite what you may have heard, wasps are not carnivores. While wasps do have mandibles to chew on, they do not have teeth. They use their sense of taste to identify tasty foods.
Wasps consume a wide variety of foods, including nectar, meat, and insects. They also use their sense of hearing to detect parasitic wasps.
Some wasps, including the Mexican Honey Wasp, consume pollen. Others, such as the Common Wasp, use their mandibles to break down insects into food. They then create protein pellets for the larvae.
Other wasps, such as the Yellow Jacket, will digest meat for protein. They will also consume nectar and sugary substances.
During the winter, wasps will eat mainly protein-based foods. They also eat insects and dead animals.
A wasp’s mandible is a set of pinchers with sharp edges on both sides. The edges are used for cutting and tearing up meat. They also act as passageways for the respiratory system.
Other wasps consume a variety of other foods, such as nectar, honey, and fruit juices. They can also eat cooked meat. They do not need large food scraps to survive. They are quite attracted to food that is leftover.
Wasps are also attracted to juices that have been spilled. They also like apple cider vinegar. This has a very intense fruity flavor. It is a good idea to cover up leftover food in a tightly sealed container.
If you are having a picnic or barbecue, be sure to cover up leftover food. Wasps will not only be attracted to your food, but they will also swarm at it.
