Wasps and hornets are common stinging insects. Despite their formidable nature, they play various ecological roles. Although they possess painful stings, they are not at the top of the food chain and serve as prey for a diverse array of natural predators, forming an integral part of the food web. Their interactions with these predators help maintain balance within ecosystems.
Birds that Hunt Wasps and Hornets
Many bird species incorporate wasps and hornets into their diets, exhibiting specialized behaviors. Bee-eaters, primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia, are particularly adept at catching bees and wasps in flight. These birds often stun their prey against a branch to remove the stinger before consumption, minimizing the risk of envenomation.
Summer tanagers also catch wasps mid-air, smashing them against branches to remove the stinger. They are also known to raid paper wasp nests, using their beaks to access and feed on larvae.
The European honey buzzard, despite its name, primarily consumes the larvae of hornets and other wasps. This bird has adapted facial feathers that act as armor, repelling wasp attacks as it digs into nests for larvae. Other birds that prey on wasps or their larvae include:
Shrikes
Woodpeckers
Chickadees
Titmice
Warblers
Sparrows
Mockingbirds
Insect and Arachnid Hunters
A variety of insects and arachnids prey on wasps and hornets. Praying mantises are stealthy ambush predators that use their spiked forelegs to capture and immobilize wasps. They wait for prey before striking swiftly.
Dragonflies catch wasps in mid-air. Robber flies are aerial predators that ambush wasps, injecting them with venom to paralyze them before feeding.
Spiders, particularly web-building species like orb-weavers, can ensnare wasps in their webs, consuming them after immobilization. Some larger wasp species, such as bald-faced hornets, may even prey on smaller yellow jackets or other wasps. Centipedes and certain types of beetles also feed on wasps.
Mammals and Other Predators
Mammals, amphibians, and reptiles prey on wasp and hornet populations. Bears, including black bears, often target wasp and hornet nests for the protein-rich larvae and pupae within. They are known to brave stings to access these nutritional resources.
Badgers and skunks dig up underground nests of yellow jackets and other wasps for larvae. Other mammals that raid nests for larvae include:
Raccoons
Opossums
Weasels
Mice
Bats can also catch flying wasps during their nocturnal hunts. Amphibians like frogs, toads, and salamanders consume wasps. Toads, for instance, are often immune to wasp stings, allowing them to eat these insects without complications. Reptiles like lizards and geckos also prey on wasps, sometimes targeting slower individuals or raiding unguarded nests for larvae.