We are used to hating wasps and loving bees, since the latter pollinate crops and produce honey. However, this
the division is due to ignorance of the role of wasps in the ecosystem.Seirian Sumner, Professor and Lead Author
Wasps are not well studied compared to othersinsects, only scientists are beginning to understand their value and importance, the authors say. In their new work, they examined the main functions of bees, as well as their global role in our lives.
Wasps are predators.Such insects are engaged in biocontrol; they protect agricultural crops, the cost of which is 416 billion US dollars annually. However, this figure almost completely ignores the contribution of wasps.
However, these insects regulate populationsarthropods, such as aphids and caterpillars, that damage crops. Single species of wasps tend to fight a specific pest, while groups of wasps hunt a large number of species at the same time.
Researchers say wasps can be usedfor pest control in developing countries, especially tropical ones. To do this, farmers need to bring in populations of local wasp species: this can be done with minimal risk to the environment.
Also, wasps, along with bees, are involved in pollination.The authors write that they discovered how wasps visited 960 plant species, and 164 of them depended entirely on aspen pollination. These were, for example, some types of orchids.
Many wasps are also versatile.pollinators that roam a wide variety of plants, so the researchers say they could serve as backup pollinators if the plant loses its native primary pollinator.
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