this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2023
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They get an unfairly bad rap because some of them have the audacity to threaten humans right back. They're actually damn important species for all kinds of ecosystem processes that support other species less offensive to our sanitised, idealised view of nature.
Some of them also have larvae that are genetically programmed to eat their hosts’ vital organs last, to ensure the food source doesn’t rot.
It’s not precisely evil, but it’s close. It’s a deliberate, if not conscious, move by evolution to use consciousness as a meat preservative.
Evolution does be like that. The parasitoid wasps are some of the most diverse and ecologically important types, actually, and they don't sting.
To be clear, I think nature is overrated. I might have come across as a back-to-the-woods guy in that first comment but I'm not. I just don't think wasp hate in particular is motivated by anything wholesome or educated.
I read that they are extremely near-sighted, which is why they like to inspect everything and everyone up close, giving the impression that they want to deliberately annoy you.
But deliberate or not, I still want to eat in peace.
Still though, fascinating creatures, I enjoy watching them as much as I enjoy watching any other insect bugger about.
Like the hornets who hunt them.