Predatory Wasps

How to identify Predatory Wasps?

There are several different wasps that are predatory. They are generally 0.5cm in length, vary in appearance but most have bright yellow or orange bands of colour, that warn any animal that may want to eat them. All predatory wasps have four wings and a skinny, thread-like waist that connect the thorax to the abdomen. These wasps collect insects by the dozens to provision their nests or they use harmful insects as hatcheries for their young.

There are two large families of parasitic wasps, Ichneumonidae and Braconidae. From the point of view of the farmer or horticulturalist, the most important groups are the Ichneumonid wasps, which prey mainly on caterpillars of butterflies and months.

Parasitic wasps are solitary, they don’t have a stinger (the females often have a long spike that looks like a stinger, but it is only used for laying eggs, it doesn’t produce venom), they usually lay their eggs inside the living host, and are vegetarian as adults, feeding on nectar and pollen.

How do you attract predatory wasps?

Attracting predatory wasps and other beneficial insects into your garden is an essential component of managing your garden. They are attracted by planting flowers with an umbrel (umbrella type flowering head). Plants in the carrot family, dill, parsley, garlic, chives and spring onions are good choices. They provide an excellent source of nectar and pollens but also a comfortable landing pad.

Bronze fennel, Queen Anne’s Lace, coriander and the mint family as well as short-lived annuals (Phacelia, allysum) and hardy perennials (thyme, oregano and catmint) can support good populations of beneficial insects.

As gardeners, it is important to ensure good pollen and nectar-bearing plants throughout the growing season. Better diversity of insectary plants adjacent to your crop plants will help attract and manage the natural ecology of your garden.