The summer always brings about such wonderful environmental changes. All of the flora and fauna begin blooming, revealing themselves once again after the harsh and cold winter weather. People finally start to emerge from their own wintry hibernations, and hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities are finally getting paid attention to once more.
Being able to enjoy the outdoors is something so many people take for granted before that option is eliminated because of the season’s change. One thing that I always forget about, though, are the bugs that take advantage of the springtime, too.
Wasps and other stinging creatures flutter and fly sporadically in every warm corner of every food truck, patio, beautifully flowery bush and any other attractive summer attribute, so much so that the pleasures of humanity can be hard to enjoy when the weather gets nice. But what is the purpose of these bugs, and why do they care so much about the business of humans?
While bees are generally cute, yet avoided, the wasp has a demeanor that seems more threatening, like they aren’t just flying around our heads for environmental purposes, but to actually organize an attack that will sting. Bees also have fuzzy, furry little faces that are adored, whereas wasps seem like the pre-positive and cynical Deadpool, botched with deformities and viciousness.
Wasps, like most pesky and buggy creatures, are actually crucial to the functioning, and the food chain, of the environment. In fact, wasps serve a similar purpose to bees. They are natural pollinators, feeding on nectars, fruit, tree sap and other natural sweeteners. Their main source of food, though, is other bugs. They have a liking toward caterpillars, centipedes, dragonflies and other protein-filled creepy-crawlies. This is their most essential and vital ecological role on the planet- pest control.
So while wasps are still terrifying little creatures that seem to have bounties on the heads of humans, they are important to the functioning of the environment. They control other unnecessary pests that, while they may not be as scary or threatening, may negatively impact the natural Earth if not regulated by a wasp’s appetite.
It’s time we all agree to do our best to tolerate the presence of wasps, as hard as it may be. They have similar functions to bees, a close relative that is not as oppressed or judged, and they are just trying to do the Earth favors.
Make sure you thank your local stingers for all of their hard work the next time you see one. They are doing more favors than any of us know.
Special thanks to the BBC news article “What’s really the point of wasps?” by University of Gloucestershire Professor Adam Hart for the helpful information.
