What Do Common Wasps Eat?

Common wasps are omnivorous insects that feed on a variety of foods, including other insects, sweet substances, and carrion.

• Insects and spiders: Wasps are predators and feed on a variety of insects and spiders. They use their sting to paralyze their prey.
• Nectar and sap: These provide a source of sugar for wasps, which they require for energy.
• Fruit: Wasps are attracted to ripe, sweet fruits which they eat for their sugar content.
• Carrion: Sometimes, wasps will feed on dead animals, especially in the absence of other food sources.
• Human food waste: Wasps are often found around trash cans, attracted by the smell of discarded food.
• Honeydew: This is a sweet substance produced by aphids, which wasps feed on for its sugar content.

How do Common Wasps Eat?

Common wasps mainly feed on nectar, fruits, and insects. They have a mouthpart called a mandible, which they use to capture and tear apart their prey.

• They use their sting to paralyze small insects and spiders.
• Wasps then tear apart their prey using mandibles.
• They consume the liquid parts and carry the solid parts back to their nests for larvae.
• Larvae, in return, produce a sugary substance that adult wasps eat.
• They also feed on fallen fruits and nectar from flowers.

What do Common Wasps Drink?

Common wasps, also known as Vespula vulgaris, primarily consume sugary liquids and are attracted to sweet substances.

• Nectar: The sweet liquid produced by flowers, rich in sugar.
• Honeydew: A sugary substance secreted by aphids.
• Fruit Juices: Sweet liquids extracted from ripe fruits.
• Sugary Human Food and Drinks: They are attracted to soda, juice, and other sweet human consumables.
• Water: Essential for hydration and nest maintenance.

FAQs about Common Wasps

1. How often do Common Wasps eat?

Common Wasps eat several times a day as they need to fuel their high energy levels.

2. How long can a Common Wasps live without eating?

A Common Wasp can survive without eating for about 12 to 22 hours depending on its activity level and environmental conditions.

3. What do Larvae Common Wasps eat?

Larvae of Common Wasps primarily eat protein-rich food, such as insect larvae and small insects, provided by adult wasps.