Wasps, Insects and Pollination

Wasps are bad news for us. They can be a nuisance to our homes and outdoor leisure activities. When they perceive us as a threat to themselves or especially to their nests they can cause us pain by stinging us. Only the females are endowed with the capacity to deliver stings.

When they sting us, the sting can be fatal to for a minority of individuals unfortunate to react to the venom with anaphylactic shock. As has been highlighted previously on the Key West blog, wasps are carnivorous. Consequently, they do not present themselves as a nuisance to us for the most part of the summer. Wasps do, however, over the course of their lifecycle become addicted to a sweet secretion that is exuded by the growing grubs on which they feed. In August when the grubs have grown to adulthood this sweet secretion ceases to be available. In the absence of this sweet treat, they turn their attention to our picnics and dining tables. Thus they become an annoying nuisance to us, potentially spreading disease to us by transmitting it from dirty locations in which they have previously been feeding, to our food.

And yes, they are indeed a threat to human life – consider that the poison in their stingers can cause anaphylactic shock in some people. If the circumstances are unfortunate, and swift action is not taken, an individual’s breathing faculties can become swollen such that they are unable to continue the essential process of respiration.

Wasps look like bees, but are generally not covered with fuzzy hairs. Consequently, they are much less efficient in pollinating flowers. This is because pollen is less likely to stick to their bodies and to be moved from flower to flower.

Here are some facts for you to digest about pollination:

Did you know that 1500 species of insects pollinate plants in the UK? These pollinators include our friends the bumble bees, honey bees and solitary bees. They also include hoverflies, flies, beetles, butterflies and moths.

Did you know that 25 species of bumble bee, 260 species of solitary bee, 1 honey bee species and hundreds of different types of butterfly, moth and hoverfly inhabit the UK?

Did you know that 70 of the 100 crop species providing 90% of food on a global scale are pollinated by bees?

Did you know that the value of insect pollination to crops owing to increases in the yield and quality of seeds and fruit is estimated to be £600 million.

It imperative that we protect our pollinators – they are vital to our all we know and the continuation of the human species. Defra, or the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is well aware of these facts. Indeed, they make five recommendations that UK citizens – families, gardeners, farmers, developers, land owners, local authorities -  can play their part in effecting, however small or large that part is.

      (1)    Grow more shrubs, trees and plants   

      (2)    Leave patches of land to grow wild

      (3)    Cut grass and mow lawns less frequently

      (4)    Don’t disturb insect nests and hibernation locations

      (5)    Think very carefully before using pesticides