Wasps
Table of ContentsÂ
Introduction
These fascinating pollinators are help farmers and gardeners in a number of ways. Some are predators for problematic bugs, while others are vital for certain crop species including figs!
Benefits of Wasps
Pollination
How Bees & Wasps Compare
"Wasps are an important part of the flower-visiting guild and often frequent flowers in search of nectar and/or insect prey. Some wasps are considered generalist pollinators, and passively transfer pollen while feeding on nectar from various plants. While doing so, they often overlap with other pollinators, such as bees, flies or butterflies. However, because they generally lack abundant body hairs and do not feed on pollen, they are considered less efficient pollinators than their bee relatives. Further, some behave more frequently as nectar thieves than as true pollinators, especially when they pierce the base of flowers to access the nectar without contacting the plant’s reproductive organs. This said, despite not having the reputation of bees, wasps can and do effectively contribute to pollination. In some plant systems and environments, they can become the most efficient pollinator, surpassing bees. For example, in a study involving pollinators and the plant Schinus terebinthifolius (Fig. 4a), some social wasp pollinators were more abundant and species-rich than bee visitors. Another study found that in some environments, the western yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica, Fig. 4b) was a more effective pollinator than the honey bee (Apis mellifera). In that investigation, it was observed that pollen of the plant Scrophularia californica was more efficiently transferred by Vespula wasps and Bombus bees (bumblebees) than by honey bees, which visited the plant but did not pollinate. In this same study, the median number of pollen grains delivered per individual floral visitor also varied among the groups (Apis = 4, Bombus = 9, and Vespula = 34). As a result, this study demonstrated that even though honey bees seemed to be the most abundant floral visitor, the western yellowjacket was the most effective pollinator. Though wasps are sometimes the best pollinator of some generalist flowers, they are typically recognized as specialist pollinators. Specialist unlike generalist pollinators, are very selective in their floral choices, and frequent flowers of one or a very few plant species. In instances where this type of specialization has evolved, rewards involved are either special (e.g., brood site) or inexistent in that the wasp is lured and exploited by the plant. In either case, the plant reproduction relies exclusively on these specialized visitors."  - Maryland Agronomy News
Predators
Wasps help gardeners and farmers by keeping problematic insect species' numbers down. This protects crops and other important plants.
Habitat Loss
Ways to Help Wasps
Apps & Tools
Bee Score: Flower Finder "Select the flowers you have in your garden, then hit continue to find out your current bee kind score. If you’re not sure exactly which plants you have, try clicking the filters on and off to help identify the bee-friendly flowers in your garden." This is hosted by and for UK residents, so you won't get a bonus for "native species" if you live outside the UK, and might see your local natives listed as "non-native" or get an "invasive penalty" even if those plants are fine where you live, but this is still a fun and educational resource.
Europe
UK
Bee Score: Flower Finder "Select the flowers you have in your garden, then hit continue to find out your current bee kind score. If you’re not sure exactly which plants you have, try clicking the filters on and off to help identify the bee-friendly flowers in your garden." This is hosted by and for UK residents, so you won't get a bonus for "native species" if you live outside the UK, and might see your local natives listed as "non-native" or get an "invasive penalty" even if those plants are fine where you live, but this is still a fun and educational resource.
Resources & Guides
Using A Sweep Net by Texas Junior Naturalists offers practical information including links to bug guides by Order.
North America
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."Regional Milkweed Guides "are a series of regional guides to the native milkweeds of North America."
Organizations
North America
Canada
Pollinator Partnership Canada " is a registered charity dedicated to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems through conservation, education, and research."
Maps
North America
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center (Interactive) "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."