How Do Wasps Keep Us Alive?
WouterDespite their name, wasps don’t actually kill us. They sting us only when they feel threatened, which is a very rare occurrence. Most species of wasps do not sting at all unless they are being attacked. However, the murder hornet, an extremely large wasp, carries a very powerful sting. It attacks in swarms and can cause fatal injuries to humans.
Wasps are a very important part of our environment. They prey on insect pests, including mosquitoes and flies. They are also responsible for plant pollination, like honey bees. They also help to control spiders and other insects.
Wasps build nests in trees and eaves. The queen wasp lays eggs in the nest cells. The queen wasp then goes to hibernate. The male wasp mates with the female. The female then burrows into the ground and hides. The male wasp then flies away.
Wasps are very successful predators. They use their stingers to paralyze food. They then consume the paralyzed food. In early summer, adult workers also use the nectar from flowers to feed their larvae.
Some wasps are predatory, while others are parasitoids. Parasitoid wasps eat their host from the inside, while predatory wasps eat other insects. Despite their aggressiveness, most species of wasps don’t bother humans.
During the winter, most species of wasps hibernate. This can affect their metabolisms and energy storage abilities. This may cause them to become less active during the day.
However, during the day, most wasps are very active. They prey on other insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and spiders. Some wasps are very aggressive, especially the yellow-jackets.
