Wasps look similar to bees. Many insects, including bees, are in fear of becoming endangered. But can the same be said for wasps? Are wasps endangered or safe?
Like most insects, most wasp species are in decline, but no species of wasps have been classified as endangered yet.
People often like bees because they’re cute and fluffy, and they pollinate crops and flowers, but when it comes to wasps, most people despise them. Wasps are very territorial insects that get aggressive if you accidentally cross their boundaries.
Wasps, if provoked, will sting and bite you. They’re known to ruin people’s picnics and outdoor activities. They often infiltrate your houses for food and sting your pets if they get in the way.
Wasps can be very annoying insects, so people always ensure to get rid of them as soon as possible. People use all sorts of methods to eliminate wasps by swatting, using pesticides, putting wasp deterring plants, and using wasp repellants.
Many wasps die yearly, and people wipe out their whole nests just to be sure. But has this battle against wasps caused them to be endangered?
Most of the wasp species are in decline. Still, as all insects have incredibly high numbers worldwide, wasps too have populations high enough to ensure their species are healthy and reproducing efficiently.
Wasps haven’t been classified as an endangered species yet, so there’s no high risk of extinction.
Should We Care About Wasp Populations?
Yes, wasps are necessary for a healthy ecosystem and environment.
All insects, no matter how much of a pest or how annoying, all serve a purpose. Insects are found worldwide; they can live in water, air, and land, and some even live inside other organisms.
Wasps similarly are essential, and despite their aggressive nature, they can be beneficial.
Wasps are responsible for many of the fruits and veggies we eat and the flowers and plants we see because wasps are pollinators.
They help eliminate waste by eating dead animal matter and salvaging people’s trash.
Wasps are natural-born pest exterminators because they get rid of many nuisance pests such as caterpillars, aphids, termites, fleas, flies, and midges by eating them.
Why are Wasps Beneficial Insects?
Wasps are beneficial insects for the environment and the world because of their many essential jobs in nature. These jobs make our lives healthy, happy, and more manageable.
The wasps you often see will sting and may get aggressive if you provoke them, but despite their quick aggression, they do a lot for the environment, making them vital creatures for a healthy ecosystem.
The first and one of the most helpful ecosystem services by wasps, especially for farmers and gardeners, is getting rid of pests.
Wasps are nature’s pest control as they feed on many annoying pests, such as aphids and caterpillars. Wasps are predators, so they hunt and feed on other insects for protein.
Coincidentally their preferred prey are often garden pests. The wasps you often see are hunting wasps and forager wasps that are on the lookout for food.
Another beneficial deed wasps do is that they pollinate. Adult wasps love feeding on nectar and fruit; in the process, they pollinate the flowers they visit. Wasps love sugary items, which is why you often find a swarm whenever there’s jam or honey.
How Can You Help Wasps?
Wasps simply don’t bother anyone if no one bothers them. Avoid going near a wasp’s nest, so no wasp comes to sting you. If a wasp nest is at a place you often have to cross, simply relocate the nest instead of killing the colony. Avoid wearing bright, vibrant-colored clothes near wasps, so no wasp comes near you, and you have to kill it. Planting plants that wasps like and pollinate will help them feed and provide food for their colony and queen.
FAQs
Do you have more questions about wasps and whether or not they are endangered? Then give these a read:
What Would Happen If There Were No Wasps?
Wasps are essential for wiping out many pests. If there were no wasps, we would have to use harmful and toxic pesticides that harm the environment, plants, and pets. Although not prolific, wasps are also pollinators like bees.
Are Wasps Protected?
As wasps are not classified as endangered and no wasp species is endangered, and at risk of extinction, they’re not protected by the world wildlife fund. Wasps are many, and all of their species have large enough populations.
Summary
Wasps are famous for their aggressive nature and hostile behaviour towards people and animals alike. It’s very easy to provoke a wasp, even accidentally, as they’re very protective of their territories.
Because wasps are so aggressive, most people don’t like them being around their houses as they can be risky. So, they kill them with pesticides or other means, but despite so many wasps dying, they still aren’t classified as endangered animals.
Resources
Below are some of the sources of information we used to put this article together:
