Which Countries Have Wasps?
WouterThose who have not been able to avoid wasps are urged to consider moving to countries where wasps are not present. A number of countries are now wasp-free. These include Chile, Bolivia, Iceland, and Fiji.
Wasps are a type of flying insect that is closely related to ants and bees. The most commonly known species live in nests, with non-reproductive workers and an egg-laying queen. They are often referred to as pollinators because they help flowers reproduce.
Wasps are native to temperate Asia and Europe. They have spread to many parts of Australia, South Africa, and North America. They have also established themselves in Argentina, Chile, South Australia, and New Zealand.
Wasps are not very successful in surviving in Antarctica. They cannot adapt to the cold, dry conditions of the southern continent.
Some wasp species are parasitoids and kill other insects. Others feed on fruit or nectar, and some build nests in the ground.
Some wasps live in colonies of hundreds of thousands. These are called social wasps. They capture caterpillars and other small insects and help to control spiders and other insects. These wereps capture 14 million kilograms of insect prey each summer in the UK. They also help protect plants by using nitric oxide to prevent fungus from growing on fruit.
Wasps have a slightly curved sting that contains extra barbs. They are venomous and can sting multiple times. They also have an alarm pheromone that is designed to warn predators away from the wasp colony.
