Eco-balance, Biodiversity and the Wasps of Bamberger Nature Park

There are signs at the greenway trails and nature parks that remind people that they may encounter wildlife, listing all sorts of species, not the least of which are stinging insects. While it seems obvious to me and probably most of my readers that one would encounter wildlife on nature trails, as a society, we have become way too disconnected from the environment in which we live.

All too many children are kept indoors for extended periods of time and can only venture outdoors under strict supervision. It is now recognized that our society suffers from a nature deficit disorder. When one ventures out onto a nature trail, one is not visiting a zoo. As one experienced visitor to Yosemite National Park was quoted as saying in a recent New York Times article, "This is not Disneyland."

Wasps are among the stinging insects one might encounter. Very few species of wasps are aggressive and will only sting if provoked. I'm convinced that wasps are among the most misunderstood and maligned of creatures.

I fully understand that for people who are sensitive to wasp stings, a sting can precipitate a medical emergency. But wasps play an important role in maintaining a balance in the environment within which they (and we) live. For example, some wasps prey on destructive pests such as webworms. Other wasps, such as the two species illustrated here, act as pollinators.

These photos are from my Wednesday, August 24 walk from the Bamberger Nature Park, Leon Creek Greenway Trailhead: