Wasps play an important role in the ecosystem, despite being considered annoying pests by many people. Here are some of the benefits of wasps:

• Pest control: Wasps are predators that hunt live prey, such as flies, caterpillars, and spiders, as a source of protein. Each summer, social wasps in the UK capture an estimated 14 million kilograms of insect prey, such as caterpillars and greenfly. Without wasps, the world could be overrun with spiders and insects.

• Pollination: Many species of wasps are pollinators that are vital for flowering plants. Some plants even depend on wasps for their existence.

• Parasitism: Some wasps are parasites that feed on other insects, which helps keep the levels of other insects in balance.

• Ecosystem balance: Wasps are apex predators, and their presence or absence can indicate whether there is something wrong with the ecosystem.

In addition, wasps are also harvested and eaten by people around the world, from Japan to India to Venezuela. Overcoming prejudice against wasps will not be easy, as they have long been portrayed as hateful. However, wasps could be just as valuable as other beloved insects like bees, if only we gave them more of a chance.