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In defence of wasps: a misunderstood insect with human-like qualities (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 1 year ago by GreyShuck@feddit.uk to c/nature@feddit.uk

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When I am asked to choose my favourite insect, I have no hesitation in choosing the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris). I have been stung many times, having first fallen into a wasp nest at 5 years old – though the young me was spared many stings as the wasps became entangled in the thick sweater my great-aunt had knitted.

But the wasp gets your attention and causes a reaction. It is perhaps the Marmite of the insect world, you love it or hate it but you’re never indifferent and that gives me something to work on.

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[–] autotldr@lemmings.world 4 points 1 year ago

This is the best summary I could come up with:

It is perhaps the Marmite of the insect world, you love it or hate it but you’re never indifferent and that gives me something to work on.

A wasp queen will begin by building a cylindrical column known as a petiole which she covers in a chemical she produces to repels ants.

At full size, larvae spin a cover over their cell until they emerge into adult workers.

With enough adults fully grown, the queen can focus on reproduction and is in turn fed by the workers.

Most worker wasps will only live as adults for a few weeks but the queen will hibernate underground to lay her eggs in summer so may survive for up to a year.

Wasps navigate via geo-location of large objects, this is the reason they will often circle people as they are mapping where we are, which must be frustrating if we are moving.

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