Why do we love bees but do we hate wasps? | MNN

We do not have the emotional connection with the wasps we have with the bees. (Photo: Maciej Olszewski / Shutterstock)

Most of us have a soft spot for bees. We think about the importance of pollination of flowers and crops and the provision of honey. We fear that they will disappear and wonder what we can do to save them.

But as far as wasps are concerned, our emotions are not usually so hot and fuzzy. According to new research, these insects are "universally despised", mainly because their role in the environment is poorly understood.

Like bees, wasps also pollinate flowers and crops. They also help regulate crop pests and insects carrying diseases that affect humans.

"It is clear that we have a very different emotional connection with wasps and bees – we have lived long in harmony with bees, domesticating some species, but interactions with human wasps are often unpleasant as they destroy picnics and nest at home, "said study author Dr. Seirian Sumner of University College London in a statement.

"Despite this, we need to actively revise the wasp's negative image to protect the ecological benefits they bring to our planet.They are facing a decline similar to bees and it's something that the world can not afford. "

What we can learn from bee research to help wasps

People associate bees with honey and flowers. (Photo: Ivar Leidus / Wikimedia Commons)

For the study, published in Ecological Entomology, researchers surveyed 748 people from 46 countries about their perceptions of insects, including bees and wasps.

Participants were asked to rate each insect on a scale – from minus five to five positives – to describe their positive or negative feelings for each. In addition, respondents were asked to provide up to three words to describe bees, butterflies, wasps and flies.

Butterflies received the highest level of positive emotion, followed closely by bees, then flies and wasps. The most popular words for bees were "honey" and "flowers", while wasps reminded people of "sting" and "annoyance".

The problem, say the researchers, is that wasps have a bad reputation.

"People do not realize how incredibly valuable they are," Sumner told BBC News. "Although you may think that they are after your beer or jam sandwich, they are actually much more interested in finding prey for insects to bring back into their nest to feed their larvae. "

In addition to the bad press, the researchers found that wasps did not have the same scientific support as bees. Researchers have reviewed 908 research articles since 1980 and found that only 2.4% were wasp publications, compared to 97.6% of bee publications.

"Global concern over pollinator decline has translated into phenomenal public interest and support from bees, which would be fantastic if it could be reflected on wasps, but it would require a complete cultural change." attitudes towards wasps, "said co-author Dr. Alessandro Cini of University College London and the University of Florence, Italy.

"For scientists, the first step is to better appreciate the wasps and provide the necessary research on their economic and societal value, which will then help the public to understand the importance of wasps."

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