When I am asked to choose my favourite insect, I have no hesitation in choosing the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris). I have been stung many times, having first fallen into a wasp nest at 5 years old – though the young me was spared many stings as the wasps became entangled in the thick sweater my great-aunt had knitted.
But the wasp gets your attention and causes a reaction. It is perhaps the Marmite of the insect world, you love it or hate it but you’re never indifferent and that gives me something to work on.
Amazing article. I never knew that mature wasps sometimes would go bald and try to wear ill-fitting wigs to hide the fact. Also the whole status anxiety thing with buying fancy wasp-shoes and stuff. So like us!