Wasps and hornets are common insects often observed in outdoor environments, yet their dietary habits are more varied and complex than many people realize. These insects, part of the order Hymenoptera, exhibit distinct feeding behaviors depending on their life stage and the colony’s seasonal needs. Understanding their diet provides insight into their role in ecosystems and their interactions with human activity.
The Sweet Tooth of Adults
Adult wasps and hornets primarily consume sugary liquids, which provide quick energy for their activities. Their mouthparts, resembling a proboscis, are designed for sipping. Nectar from flowers serves as a significant carbohydrate source, fueling their flight, foraging, and nest maintenance. They also seek fruit juices, especially from overripe or fallen fruit.
Tree sap is another natural sugary liquid that wasps and hornets consume. Additionally, they feed on honeydew, a sugary excretion produced by aphids. Adult wasps also obtain sugars from a reciprocal relationship with their larvae, who secrete a sweet liquid. This sugar-rich diet is essential for the adults’ high energy demands.
The Protein Power for Young
The dietary needs of young wasps and hornets, specifically the larvae, differ significantly from adults. Larvae require a protein-rich diet to support their rapid growth and development. Adult worker wasps are responsible for hunting and capturing other insects and arthropods to feed the developing larvae.
These prey items can include caterpillars, flies, spiders, and aphids. Adult wasps use their mandibles to capture and dismember prey, chewing it into a digestible pulp before bringing it back to the nest. This protein-rich food is then fed directly to the larvae. This diet is crucial for the colony’s propagation.
Diet Through the Seasons
The dietary emphasis within a wasp or hornet colony changes throughout the year, adapting to its life cycle. In spring, the queen emerges and lays eggs, focusing on protein foraging to nourish the first generation of larvae. Worker wasps continue to hunt insects to support the growing number of larvae, maintaining a strong demand for protein through early summer.
As summer progresses, the colony reaches its peak size, and new larvae production decreases. This means the adults’ primary sugar source—secretions from larvae—also diminishes. Adult wasps increasingly seek external sugar sources for energy, becoming more attracted to ripe fruits, nectar from late-blooming flowers, and human foods and drinks. This increased search for sugars in late summer and fall can lead to more frequent interactions with humans.