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Do Wasps Pollinate Anything? 21 Questions Answered!
Wasps are very important pollinators. Wasps are insects, in the same Order, Hymenoptera, like bees and ants. Most familiar wasps belong to a group called the Aculeata.
Now, it is important to note that not all species of wasps pollinate flowers and plants. The ones that do have fur-like soft hairs or a special body part for pollen storage as bees do while the ones that don’t lack this fur-like body or pollen storage unit.
Upon close examination, I discovered that the Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and German Wasp (Vespula germanica), do indeed have hairy bodies.
Fig wasps; the largest species of pollinating wasps are one species that singlehandedly pollinate hundreds of species of figs. They crawl into the fig via a small pore to mate, lay eggs, and pollinate the tiny flowers inside.
Other wasp species prefer to feed on nectar, but don’t pollinate plants.
Hairy Features of the Wasp that make them Great Pollinators
Almost invisible to the naked eyes, the hair on the black and yellow striped abdomen of many wasps is so fine, yet dense. This allows things such as pollen and dirt to stick to it.
Similarly, the thorax (upper body) is covered in thick black hair that allows the same.
The hair wasps have coupled with the fact that they are consistent visitors to flowers for nectar, make pollination possible.
Do Wasps Do Anything Good?
Aside from the fact that wasps pollinate our food crops and flowers, they can also serve as fierce predators that help control pests that might be out harming crops.
Wasps are hunters of spiders, caterpillars, aphids, and more. Their primary diet is made up of insects, honey, fruits, and some plants.
Wasps pollinate fruits such as cucumbers, tomatoes, figs, orchids, etc.
What Percentage Do Wasps Pollinate?
Around 20%.
What Kind Of Plants Do Wasps Pollinate
Wasps pollinate vegetables, fruits, and plants such as cucumber, orchids, tomatoes, fig, etc.
How Many Plants Do Wasps Pollinate?
As many as they crawl into and feed on.
Why Do Wasps Pollinate Orchids?
Orchids release a scent similar to a female orchid so the male wasps are drawn to it in an attempt to mate with it. In doing so, they accidentally collect pollen on their bodies, which fertilizes the next orchid they visit.
Do Paper Wasps Pollinate?
Paper wasps are pollinators since they feed on nectar and are usually found around plants.
Do Black Wasps Pollinate?
The great black wasps are considered pollinators.
Do Mud Wasps Pollinate?
The great mud wasps are considered pollinators.
Do All Bees and Wasps Pollinate?
Yes, all bees and wasps pollinate. Some more often, than others.