Stinging wasps 'precious', not 'pointless', say scientists

[FfFfFfFF 58,120]

For those who have asked what the point of wasps is, there is now a comprehensive answer. They are voracious predators of pest insects, produce powerful antibiotics in their venom, pollinate plants and even make a nutritious snack.

The benefits to humans of the much-hated insects are revealed in the first major scientific review of the ecosystem services they provide. It focused on the 33,000 known species of hunting wasps, which carry stings and live in every corner of the world.

Yellowjackets and hornets, the picnic pests that have given wasps a bad name, make up a small proportion of all wasp species. But even they provide help that is little known, such as hoovering up caterpillars on vegetable patches. Yellowjacket venom is also being investigated as a promising cancer treatment.

“When I tell strangers I study wasps they go ‘oh, what’s the point of wasps?’,” said Prof Seirian Sumner at University College London. “Why don’t you study bees instead? They’re much more useful.” Her previous research showed people hated wasps because they were unaware of what they did.

“We’re quite happy with the idea that bees sting, because we know that they do good in the world,” she said. “So we have gathered the evidence available to put wasps on the map in terms of their ecosystem services. Wasps could be just as valuable as other beloved insects like bees, if only we gave them more of a chance.”

The study, published in the journal Biological Reviews, analysed 500 scientific reports on stinging wasps. There are 100,000 known wasp species, but 70,000 are parasitic, which are stingless and quite well studied. They are already used in farming to control pests without using insecticides. There are about 22,000 species of bees. “Wasps are the ancestor of bees, so bees are wasps that have forgotten how to hunt,” said Sumner. S

[Chromatica Island 8,517]

Still hate them, I have a fear of wasps

[Stupid Oreo 14,669]

cant guarantee that i wont smack some of those this summer

 

2 years ago i got stung on the inside of my ear

[Mindblown 6,744]

Ew, Kill them. 

[imnotyourbabe10 6,120]

I love your science and nature threads! I love all sentient creatures. 

Except for humans 

[js4754394o9823 6,882]

Another animal that is going to be used and abused for our own benefit, how lovely

Now can someone tell what are humans for? Because we are not only pointless, but destructive, deadly and harmful

[Chromatislaps 34,854]

actually so many insect populations have dwindled because we use so much pesticides, without knowing that all these insects serve a purpose...

the fact people only now realize we have destroyed/are destroyings the worlds precious biodiversity and ecocycles/ecosystems makes us dumbs shits really

[Esteban 2,300]

People still ignore that? We're screwed 

[gumzy3000 7,901]

That picture terrified me 

[Guest]

Every insect have a purpose, a very big purpose on this crazy rotating ball

[Guest]

1 hour ago, kukuryku666 said:

Another animal that is going to be used and abused for our own benefit, how lovely

Now can someone tell what are humans for? Because we are not only pointless, but destructive, deadly and harmful

Talk for yourself, I grow plants, vegetables, fruits and I help bees every single day. I hug trees and communicate with them by singing every afternoon, so Im doing MY PART. Are you doing YOUR PART? Not sure about that, recycle ur trashbags!

[Economy 52,847]

Pretty much everything in nature has a purpose. More often than not if we think theres none its because we just dont know and are ignorant

 

Remember appendix that for so many decades was viewed as a useless organ? Research in recent years suggests its not so useless after all

 

Also i had no idea the number of species for wasps and bees was that high 

[gothicdream 39,657]

2 hours ago, FfFfFfFF said:

and even make a nutritious snack.

[Chromatica Island 8,517]

2 hours ago, kukuryku666 said:

Another animal that is going to be used and abused for our own benefit, how lovely

Now can someone tell what are humans for? Because we are not only pointless, but destructive, deadly and harmful

Wow, you're so special and edgy!

[Perezchristian 63]

2 hours ago, Stupid Oreo said:

cant guarantee that i wont smack some of those this summer

 

2 years ago i got stung on the inside of my ear

I literally got stung by one in the neck 🧍‍♂️🧍‍♂️