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.
ALSO SEE: Best Homemade Wasp Killer Spray with Household Products
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.
For instance, bald-faced hornets only feed on fruit juices and nectar while some other species prefer insects.
Do Wasps Pollinate Cucumbers?
Like Honey bees, Some wasp species with help with the pollination of cucumbers.
Do Wasps Pollinate Tomatoes?
Yes, they do.
Do Yellow Jackets Pollinate?
Yellowjackets are able to pollinate but not as much as bees.
Do Wasps Pollinate Flowers?
Yes, they do. In fact, it has been scientifically proven that wasps help in flower pollination.
Do Wasps Pollinate as Much as Bees?
There is no data to show if they pollinate as much as bees. However, wasps do pollinate flowers and crops.
Do Wasps Kill Bees?
Wasps will attack and kill bees to get to their honey.
Do Wasps Pollinate Figs?
The fig wasp is responsible for the pollination of figs every year.
Do Wasps Pollinate Anything?
Each year, a single wasp is responsible for single-handedly pollinating several hundreds of flowers and food crops.
Do Wasps Pollinate Vegetables?
Wasps will pollinate veggies as long as the pollens stick to their hair.
Do Wasps Pollinate More Than Bees?
No, they do not. Bees pollinate upon every visit, wasp doesn’t.
Do Wasps Pollinate in Uk?
Of course! Wasps, everywhere in the world pollinate, including in Australia, the USA, Canada, and the UK.
Do Wasps Pollinate Fruit Trees?
Yes, they sure do. Wasps pollinate fruit trees.
Do Wasps Pollinate Tomatoes?
Wasps pollinate tomatoes with ease.
What Fruit Do Wasps Pollinate?
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.