How Good Is Wasps?
WouterDespite their reputation as a pest, wasps are actually quite beneficial to the ecosystem. They’re pollinators, predators, and regulate arthropod populations. They’re also important natural biocontrols for crops.
There are over 30,000 species of wasps, ranging from small parasitic wasps to large, social species. Many of them prey on other insects, including flies, caterpillars, and crickets. Others, such as hornets, build nests in trees.
The venom of wasps contains a pheromone, which signals other wasps that they’re under attack. This can be used as a warning for other wasps, making them more aggressive. They also produce powerful antibiotics in their venom, which makes them an important part of the ecosystem.
The CDC reported that between 2000 and 2017, there were 1,109 deaths from wasp stings. Compared with bees, wasps aren’t overly aggressive, but they can still sting. If you have a reaction to the sting, wash the area with soap and water, apply an antihistamine tablet, and then go indoors.
The mastoparan compound in the venom of social wasps has cancer-cell-killing properties. It also preferentially targets cancerous cells.
Social wasps prey on a wide variety of insects, from caterpillars to spiders. They also capture greenfly. Social wasp colonies tend to nest in manmade structures, such as in buildings. This makes them annoying pests, but they can be helpful for pest control in specific areas.
In the UK, 14 million kilograms of insect prey are captured by social wasps each summer. They build their nests on horizontal surfaces, such as in trees, along buildings, or on beams and overhangs.
