By Dr Chris Andrews – visitor experience manager, RSPB Frampton
Ah summer, just the time for a picnic. But what is this, gatecrashers at the feast!
All is in confusion as arms are flailed wildly at the intruding wasp. But do we really need to react that way?
“What good are wasps?” is a common question I get asked by friends.
The implication being that wasps have no purpose in life other than to launch themselves at us with vicious intent. But the reality is really rather different.
Wasps play a vital role in nature, and in our lives. They are superb pest controllers, picking off caterpillars and grubs. This means a lot less tiny jaws eating plants, both in our gardens and also out on the fields. What useful creatures!
You probably also don’t realise how many different types of wasp there are.
You will be most familiar with the black and yellow ones, the social wasps. They live together in communal nests. But there are many smaller wasps that live solitary lives. They live in a small burrow in the ground or a wall. Amongst these solitary wasps are some of the prettiest, called jewel wasps. With ruby reds and emerald greens, they are one of our most stunning insects.
What of the social wasps, the black and yellow ones? Well they are superb architects, who use a strange building material, paper!
The wasps chew wood and the little pieces mix with their saliva to make a pulp. This they build up into walls, and then dries and solidifies into paper. Wasp nests are a marvel of construction. Light, strong and extremely intricate.
But what of their nasty habit of stinging people? Well, unless you do something silly, wasps are actually very unlikely to sting you. Only if you threaten their nest or, in their view, try to attack will they respond in self-defence.
They are drawn to picnics by the smell of sugary food and drinks, so keep such items covered and you won’t have a problem. I have had wasps crawling over my arm and never been stung.
Remember, wasps are friends, not foes!
