Why we shouldn't wage war on the wasp

VARIOUS news reports suggest this year's unseasonable weather, especially the record-breaking warm spring, means there are more wasps around, with pest controllers reporting an increase in callouts.

- By ERIN MCDAID

Asked to take part in a TV interview about the reported increase, I did a little research because I'd not noticed. I didn’t see a single wasp when I was picking plum trees on my allotment surrounded by fallen overripe fruits and haven't been aware of an increased number of wasps whilst eating outdoors recently.

But I did a little digging and despite an overall crash in insect numbers of up to 60% in recent years, it seems wasps are one of the species managing to hold their own. In this context, I would suggest that if wasp numbers are indeed higher this year then we should, to some extent, welcome the news.

Only spiders seem to be loved less, so I suspect I’m on a hiding to nothing in trying to get people to warm to wasps.