What to Wasps Eat
WouterBesides pollinating plants, wasps also eat a variety of insects. They are classified in the family Hymenoptera. There are over 20,000 different species of wasps in the world. Each has its own preferred foods.
Wasps prefer eating sweet foods, including fruit, honeydew, and nectar. They also enjoy fermented fruit. These foods contain sugars, which are a major source of protein for the wasp.
Wasps have a strong sense of taste. They are also attracted to sweet aromas. They will also attack decomposing meat and animal carcasses. They can also get into homes through small holes in window screens or through power lines.
While some species will eat their own kind, they are generally omnivorous. They can eat anything from meat to fruit to insects. They are known to swarm when threatened.
Wasps have three stages in their life cycle. They begin as eggs and then develop into larvae and adults. Each stage of their life cycle feeds the other. The larvae feed on meat and other insects while the adults feed on sugars and nectar. They are most active during the day. They are dormant during the night.
During the spring, summer, and fall, adult wasps can find food. They prefer to eat fruit and nectar, but they can also eat insects, meat, and vegetables. They are also known to consume soda drinks and sweets. Some species may even swarm to feed on sweet foods.
Some wasp species have adapted to hunt spiders and other insects. These species are called mud daubers. They have dark wings and a slender abdomen. These insects do not live in colonies.
