Wasps: Introduction

categories: Pollinators Wasps Wasps Intro

last review date: 2026-04-26 08:44

Biology

Closely related to bees, wasps are important pollinators although their importance varies between family, genera and species. Wasps are carnivorous during their development, only becoming avid sugar and carbohydrate seekers as adults.

Wasps not only provide pollination but insect population control for the plants they visit for nectar: two significant ecosystem services. In general, wasps lack the hairiness of bees and therefore may be less efficient in picking up and transporting pollen. However, even relatively hairless wasps like yellowjackets and sphecids do possess fine hairs that can pick up pollen grains.

Wasps typically have short tongues (unlike bees) and are unable to reach the hidden nectar stores of deep-throated flowers.  Therefore, wasps tend to visit simple, flat flowers with accessible nectar like Umbellifers.

Wasps are the only pollinators for a surprising number of plants in at least six families, particularly orchids.  Tiny wasps, less than 2 mm in length, in the family Agaonidae are also the only creatures capable of pollinating some cultivars of commercial figs, an important tropical crop.

Other wasps are considered important pollinators of farmed crops of mustards, apples and pumpkins.  In some cases, wasps have been shown to be more important pollinators than bees.  A recent European study showed paper wasps were more effective pollinators than bumble bees in greenhouses.

Wasps are important contributors to plant pollination, which results in biodiversity and the proper functioning of ecosystems.  However, the paucity of data on wasps as pollinators in both natural and farmed environments currently precludes us from putting a value on their service as pollinators.

Attracting and Keeping Natural Enemies and Pollinators in Your Yard and Garden

• Avoid regular use of synthetic, broad-spectrum pesticides.
• Infrequent use of certain narrow-spectrum pesticides is more compatible with some beneficials but generally the less chemical inputs there are, the greater and more diverse the beneficial insect community will be.
• Extensive lawns are also not conducive to attracting and retaining a diversity of beneficial insects, mites and spiders. Minimize lawn areas and maximize shrub and bush plantings.
• Many beneficials reside naturally in riparian and other ‘natural’ areas near to many back yards. Natural dispersion from these refuges ensures that some beneficials will visit back yards but they will not stay unless food, host and shelter resources are available.
• Native plants have closer affinities with native insects and therefore provide most of these resources. A garden with a good diversity of local native flora in and around back yards, will improve the abundance and diversity of local, beneficial arthropods.
• Native flora also provides natural overwintering sites for many beneficial insects and it is useful to leave at least a small area of native vegetation undisturbed during fall and winter.
• Some kinds of beneficial insects (e.g. lady beetles, lacewings, predatory mites) are available for purchase from commercial suppliers. However, benefits from introducing these beneficials are usually limited and short-lived. Upon release, commercially obtained lady beetles and lacewings often disperse and may rapidly leave your backyard despite the presence of prey and suitable nectar resources. Generally, it is more effective and sustainable to create a garden habitat that will be colonized by beneficials naturally.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

• None recommended