The Grounded Orchardist

I get asked this a lot. Apparently there are around 7000 species of wasps in the UK, I mean thats crazy. However, we are talking about social species not solitary… commonly the black and yellow standard ones seen everywhere.

Across the UK, harvest time has begun. The early varieties of apples, figs and plums are ripening. The apples are almost ready, the first pick has more or less already been done and will be shortly entering shops and coldstores. The wasps didn’t get the memo that they’re not quite ready and are feasting on them anyway! Much like birds with a cherry that’s ripe on one side!

Having just got back from an exhilarating mornings pick of Discovery’s, this post is very apt. My family and I learnt the operatic highs our voices could go and the justifiable foul language everytime we felt a hollow on the other side of the apple, the wasps literally cascading to the floor. Jumping, even when stroked by a leaf…the body is on high alert!! Then the relief of getting away unscathed! Exciting stuff, I felt very alive.

Are wasps a pest for our fruit trees?

The short answer is yes, but it’s complicated. They are a pest for a short time without a doubt but also largely a beneficial.

Yes, the adult wasps thrive off that early sugar source and completely hollow out an apple, or peck a hole and go onto the next. Leaving the apple with no ability to store, its infuriating! They also make the job of apple picking a monumental task, especially when the sugars turn to alcohol and they get drunk…drunk wasps are no fun at all! Wasps also get their carbohydrates from nectar, honeydew from aphids and any thing else if the opportunity arises. Such as your ice cream, sandwich or drink.

But, we need them. They’re a very important part of a thriving ecosystem and they feed aphids, caterpillars and other insects to their young as well as keeping other pests at bay. They accidentally, just by going about their day to day business pollinate and add to important complex soil health.

They are of course also prey for other beneficials (and pests) such as spiders, hornets, centipedes, dragonflies, badgers, , 24 species of bird such as magpies, starlings and blackbirds also eat them

Believe me, us orchardists would love to be able to pick the early season fruit without fear of being stung. They certainly slow the process down. However, wasps add a vital ingredient to the ecosystem and biodiversity and we need them!