Wasps and Hornets - What is the Purpose of Wasps and Hornets?

Despite their reputation as a pest, wasps are vital to the environment and ecosystem. These predators prey on a variety of insects, including caterpillars, flies, whiteflies and other pests. They also help reduce waste in the ecosystem.

Wasps are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their favorite foods are ripe fruits and sugary foods. They also consume caterpillars, flies, aphids and other insects that feed on plants. They also consume late-season grapes. These fruits are rich in yeast, which is used to make beer and wine.

Wasps are a type of social insect. They live in nests and communicate with each other in intricate ways. Their social lives are just as fascinating as those of honey bees. These social wasps include yellow jackets and paper wasps. Social wasps will swarm if a trespasser enters the nest. They also capture and carry back caterpillars and other insects.

The European hornet is a large wasp that lives in the United States. They are a major pest and are known to attack honey bee colonies. They can be found in hollow logs and dark cavities in the woods. They are most dangerous during the spring and fall. They have a neurotoxin in their venom that can be harmful to humans.

There are roughly 33,000 species of stinging wasps in the world. Scientists want to learn more about them. This is because they are falling prey to the large-scale use of pesticides. As a result, scientists are asking for public support to help protect wasps.