¶ … ecosystem, which is a biological environment made up of various organisms, whether living or not, physical constituents which life forms interact with, for example, soil, water, and sunlight. Environmental homeostasis is achieved with the presence of various insects and critters in the ecosystem. This paper will delve into the role wasps' play as biological pest control, nesting habits, and various methods to control the population.
A majority of wasps are parasitic or known as parasitoids, so they prey on insects that would otherwise destroy and eat crops, which makes them advantageous in agriculture. Parasites like wasps lay one or more eggs on the host's exterior or interior body. Wasps are able to conduct such an act by feeding on the pest during their larval stage thus enhancing biological control, which was what Tylianakis (2010) noted in his study that researched biodiversity and biological control services. In another study led by Philips, which investigated the adaptive evolution of an insect introduced for biological control, it described the role of the South American parasitoid wasp Microctomus hyperodae. It was used "for biological control of L. bonariensis. It lays one egg per adultthe larva develops within the living, active weevil then emerges to pupate, while the host dies due to parasitism" (Philips, 2008).
In order for parasitoids to attack their targeted pests, they need to be attracted to the specific object. In a study led by Bianchi, it investigated the effect of nectar in flowering plants have to attract parasitoids. As a result, it was discovered that "the perception of olfactory cues emitted by flowers and host-infested plants drives the movement of the parasitoid...tailoring nectar supply to the requirements of parasitoids holds potential to increase their effectiveness as biological control agents" (Bianchi, 2008).
Despite the variety of wasps, they usually fall into two main classifications, which are solitary or social wasps. The former live and work...
Solitary wasps are not colonial and do not possess a caste system but do possess a queen, which is why such species usually have a small single nest. However, only predatory solitary wasps build nests, which include mud daubers, pollen wasps, and potter wasps. The first two make finger-like nests from mud cells in covered areas, and are usually attached to flat, vertical surfaces like the side of walls. The last type constructs nests that are shaped like a vase from mud with several cells but are affixed to tree twigs or against walls. Another type of solitary wasp is cicada killers, which make their nests in the ground especially if it is sandy or in soils that are well drained, and are tunnel-like.
The latter type of wasps, social wasps, dwell in colonies, build strong nests, and do not necessarily possess the capability of reproduction. Social wasps, which include yellow jackets, bald-faced hornet, and polistes wasps have a colony or a caste system, which consists of workers who are sterile females, queen, and males. The workers make the nest, gather food, and defend the home while the queens lay eggs and reproduce. The nests of social wasps are made from paper pulp or wood fibers. The second material is gathered from nearby wood that has been weathered, chewed, and mixed with saliva, which is then used to construct combs. However, it is possible various types of material can be mingled in the nest so they can be found near different places that reflect their use of materials, which are different for each species. For example, D. media and D. sylvestris nest in trees and hedges while V. germanica make nests in holes found in the ground or walls, or spaces under houses. The nest of polistes wasps are made of grayish paper, look like a honeycomb, and are attached to rafters, overhangs in homes, garages, and sheds.
Nests are constructed annually and are abandoned at the end of the season. In the springtime, this is when the females look…
