It might sound like good news that wasps have had a rough year – as there’s less of a chance of being stung.
But wasps, which have been hit by a wet spring and cold start to summer, are pollinators as well as pest controllers, helping to keep crop-destroying aphids and caterpillars in check.
Scientists at the University of Gloucestershire are now organising a Big Wasp Survey to monitor the insects, with the public invited to take part.
This year, the researchers are filled with foreboding, believing numbers may have plummeted.
Adam Hart, professor of science communication at the university, said: ‘All the signs are suggesting that it’s a very poor summer for wasps.
Wasps, which have been hit by a wet spring and cold start to summer, are pollinators as well as pest controllers (stock photo)
Wasps are also pest controllers, helping to keep crop-destroying aphids and caterpillars in check
The UK was this year hit by a wet spring and a cold start to summer (stock photo)
‘While that may sound like great news if you’re out on a picnic, wasps play a crucial role as pollinators and natural pest controllers, keeping on top of insects that feed on crops and garden plants.
‘We’ll know a lot more after our Big Wasp Survey, but certainly from what we know so far, 2024 is looking like a bad year for wasps.’
Spring weather always has a big impact on wasp success as it is the most vulnerable time in their life cycle.
It’s at this time of year that the wasp queen emerges from hibernation and builds her nest alone.
She then has to forage to feed the brood, and if it’s a cold, wet spring then survival of nests is low.
Professor Hart added: ‘We certainly had a very wet spring, and it was an unseasonably cold late spring and the start of summer.
Spring weather always has a big impact on wasp success as it is the most vulnerable time in their life cycle
All wasps bar the queen die by the end of summer, so the traps shorten their lives by only a week or two (stock photo)
This will also have affected other insect populations – which are the prey that wasps hunt.’
Those wanting to take part in the survey need to create a simple trap using a plastic bottle and 200ml of lager, then log the number of wasps caught.
All wasps bar the queen die by the end of summer, so the traps shorten their lives by only a week or two.
More information can be found at https://www.bigwaspsurvey.org/taking-part/
