Wasps are not among the most timid animals, especially the species that confidently and boldly challenge us for food at the garden table. But despite their characteristics as assertive predatory insects, they are of course not the end of the food chain.
What natural enemies do wasps have?
Natural enemies of wasps include birds such as honey buzzards and bee-eaters, mammals such as hedgehogs and badgers, spiders and various insects such as dragonflies, beetles and ants. Humans also pose a threat, especially through control measures and habitat destruction.
Who wasps should be careful of
Wasps are obviously aware of the Darwinian principle of the advancement of the fittest. They ensure the preservation of their species with brutal vehemence by hunting their prey tirelessly and using sophisticated methods, stealing from us without fear and rigorously defending their people. In this way, they gain respect even from much larger and stronger “animals” like us humans. The most defensive species in Central Europe are primarily the large, colony-forming short-headed wasps such as the German wasp and the common wasp as well as the hornet.
Nevertheless, wasps also have to ensure that they survive in the merciless reality of nature. Because not everyone is afraid of their massive strength and their feared sting. Your most dangerous opponents are:
- Man
- Birds
- Mammals
- Spiders
- Numerous insects
Human
Humans cannot actually be considered a natural enemy of wasps because they generally do not eat them. In some places around the world, wasps and other insects are eaten by humans, but the main threat to wasps from humans comes from control measures and indirectly through the destruction of habitats.
Birds
For some bird species, wasps are high on the menu. Above all, the so-called honey buzzard, the bee-eater and the red-backed shrike are among them.
Mammals
Some mammals also do not disdain the protein-containing wasps as food. These include typical omnivores such as hedgehogs, badgers and bears. However, they only target the delicate larvae and not the adult wasps.
Spiders
Spiders can easily trap, paralyze and eat wasps in their webs.
Insects
It's hard to believe: Even some insects that a layperson would classify as victims of wasps are serious predators of wasps. Some dragonflies, robber flies, mantises, beetles and ants hunt wasps or attack the brood. Wasps are also enemies of each other; hornets, for example, do not stop at their relatives.
