A tarantula hawk is a spider waspthat preys on tarantulas. Tarantula hawks belong to any of the many species in the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis. There are several different types of waspsthatarepredatory. Predatorywasps collect insects by the dozens to provision their nests or they use harmful insects as hatcheries for their young. This amazing group of insects contains some of our smallest predatorywasps and some of our largest. Indeed, Michigan’s largest wasp, known as the cicada killer wasp (Sphecius speciosus), is a crabronid that has garnered much attention this year because of its resemblance to the... Many wasps can’t actually sting. Wasps provide valuable ecosystem services to humans because they provide pest control in the landscape. Some waspsarepredators and others are parasitoids. You can thank paper wasps for our current paper production industry. Some waspsarepredatory, feeding on the insects attracted to your garden. In either case, your flowers could be why you have wasps around. If you're hesitant to get rid of your garden, avoid buying flowering plants. You might think that the last thing you want in your garden iswasps, but some waspsare beneficial. Predatorywasps collect insects by the dozens. Learn more about them here. Parasitoid waspsthat sting and kill stink bug eggs are the most promising control method. While there are native parasitoid wasps in Utah, none have been effective. Samurai wasp, a parasitoid native to eastern Asia, has proven to be effective at controlling BMSB populations. Hornets (genus Vespa) are a conspicuous taxon of large eusocial waspsthatarepredators of other insects. Increasingly, hornets are gaining notoriety as damaging invaders after repeated introductions into novel habitats. Paper waspsarepredators and feed on a variety of other insects thatare present on bushes, shrubs, flowers and trees. They may have built a nest on the structure. Predatory Bugs: Good Guys In The Garden. by Carole Menser . Beneficial bugs arepredatory insects that like to target other specific insect pests. As gardening season rolls around, the presence of these predators becomes crucial for a healthy landscape.
