UK wasp population sees 'huge decline' this summer - Polidicks

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23356578[/url] [quote][B]It's summer, the sun is shining across the UK, but there don't seem to be many wasps around. Why?[/B] Summer has finally arrived and people have decamped to gardens, beaches and parks en masse. But something seems to be missing this year. By July people are usually swatting wasps away from picnics, barbecues and ice creams at an annoying rate. Wasps usually start appearing in the UK around the beginning of May, depending on the species. So why are there so few of them around? Numbers are low so far this year because of a huge decline in the wasp population in 2012, say experts. That drop was the result of fluctuating temperatures earlier in the year. An unseasonal spell of good weather in late February last year is being blamed. It resulted in mated queen wasps coming out of hibernation early, experts say. Temperatures soon dropped again and many of them died because of a lack of food.[/quote]

I must have been to buzzzzzzzzzzy to notice!

It feels so much better.

I'm totally ok with this. Well, hopefully not much relies on the wasp in terms of ecosystems.

well im glad i still see wasps, that sucks UK has a decline though.

Yippee Kay-ay!

[QUOTE=Unib5;41531089]I'm totally ok with this. Well, hopefully not much relies on the wasp in terms of ecosystems.[/QUOTE] pollination man

dammit my automerge

[QUOTE=confinedUser;41531111]pollination man[/QUOTE] isnt that bees

I hope they decline further. Fuck wasps.

Why all the winners, wasps kill parasites and are pretty much as vital as bees if only for that, it's time people stopped buying into this childish fucking notion that wasps only exist to kill you, yeah they're angry but for good reason

I don't mind less wasps, but I haven't seen a single bee in the garden :(

[QUOTE=Turing;41531154]isnt that bees[/QUOTE] It's both. Wasps make honey too, so they spread pollen. Wasps weren't domesticated because they are far more aggressive than bees

good

good. fuck wasps, they're cunts.

I wish the entire Wasp race would die out, since they're not contributing, producing or doing anything besides killing entire bee colonies and stinging people.

Despite what every member of FP thinks, Wasps do play an important role in pest control for the ecosystem. Well, as long as nothing is adversely affected by the decline, I suppose it is something to be buzzed about. [editline]20th July 2013[/editline] Pun unintended.

Actually, on a related note. Would we have a big problem, if suddenly, ALL mosquitos suddenly died? They dont really contribute much to the ecosystem do they?

[QUOTE=GlebGuy;41531307]I wish the entire Wasp race would die out, since they're not contributing, producing or doing anything besides killing entire bee colonies and stinging people.[/QUOTE] "I don't understand something therefore it must not be important."

I want to love wasps but whenever I say good morning to the local nest they get all angry and demand I leave their neighborhood. Fucking speciests.

[QUOTE=Lyonidis;41531313]Despite what every member of FP thinks, Wasps do play an important role in pest control for the ecosystem. Well, as long as nothing is adversely affected by the decline, I suppose it is something to be buzzed about. [editline]20th July 2013[/editline] Pun unintended.[/QUOTE] exactly wasps i guess you could say it is population control for particular creatures. Without wasps we would have a major over population of those creatures whatever it may be, and would not be good

I haven't seen a single wasp this year which is great.

Woah shit I've been reading pol too long I thought you meant a different kind of wasp

[QUOTE=GussGriswold;41531335]Actually, on a related note. Would we have a big problem, if suddenly, ALL mosquitos suddenly died? They dont really contribute much to the ecosystem do they?[/QUOTE] Aquatic food chain. Mosquito larvae are eaten by fish, and they themselves are filter feeders. Adult mosquitos are food for bats, birds, and some small animals.

[QUOTE]people are usually swatting wasps away from picnics, barbecues and ice creams at an annoying rate.[/QUOTE] DO NOT PISS EM OFF GOD FUCKING DAMNIT. I got stung 4 times in my life due to other people smacking em in my direction AND PISSING EM OFF.

Bees are cool and help the planet Wasps are motherfuckers with only one purpose, fuck your day

[QUOTE=FlubberNugget;41531195]I don't mind less wasps, but I haven't seen a single bee in the garden :([/QUOTE] it's okay i've seen like two dozen today, i think that evens out

[QUOTE=The golden;41531408]Say good morning to them the same way my dad's friend did to his local nest. Point blank with a 12 gauge shotgun.[/QUOTE] That's the most american thing I've read this week

[QUOTE=The golden;41531347]What? Wasps kill bees. Bees are pretty defenseless against wasps and wasps can easily wipe out entire colonies of bees. Wasps are EXTREMELY territorial and if anything tries to set up shop in their vicinity then they will go apeshit. They have a role but I would not say they are the same as bees.[/QUOTE] Being honest a wasps role is just as important as the bee's, both pollinate plants and make honey but wasps are very specialised at killing off pests and parasites, keep in mind that these pests and parasites attack other insects, like bees. Without wasps these parasites would boom, it would affect other insect populations and very likely devastate bee colonises. You might not like the territorial as fuck insects but they are needed to keep the bad shit at bay.

Bees? Bees are bros, they just want to see what ur up to, what ur playing. Wasps? Wasps are not bros, they do not want to know what ur up to. They just want to sting the shit out of you. :v: I'm ok with this.