We all know that bees are our top pollination heroes, but what role do their stripy cousin, the wasp, play?
Surely, wasps are no more than the villains of the insect world, having no other purpose than to annoy people at picnics and sting them?
Wrong! Wasps play a key role in our ecosystem. Read on to find out more:
So, what's the point of wasps?
Did you know wasps are also pollinators? When a wasp travels from plant to plant looking for nectar to feed on they also carry pollen with them. Wasps generally have much less hair than bees, so don’t carry as much pollen, but they still pollinate.
Find out more about the differences between a bee and a wasp
Wasps are also rather good at pest control. As wasps tend to be classed as omnivores they eat insects and spiders as well as nectar and sugars from rotting fruit - which is why they are rather a pain at picnics.
And speaking of diets, wasps make a tasty meal for many animals, including birds, mammals, and other insects, thus helping biodiversity.
So there you are, there is a point to wasps, a very good point!
Did you know?
The largest wasp in the world is 4cm long and a wingspan of 7cm — that’s nearly the size of an average credit card? Plus, the 6mm stinger allows it to inject venom into any animal (or human) who threatens it.
Read more about the Asian giant hornet but don't get it muddled up with the smaller Asian hornet
How to identify insects that bite or sting – and avoid being bitten
