desert bugs - Top That! Publishing

Why do bees and wasps sting
The yellow and black colours of bees and wasps act as a warning to say that
these insects sting! While a sting can be painful and, in a few people, cause a
serious allergic reaction, bees and wasps usually attack only when they feel
threatened. A bee can sting only once. This is because a little hook on the end
of its stinger catches in whatever it decides to sting, causing its abdomen to tear
as it flies away. The bee dies as a result. Wasps, on the other hand, can sting many times.
How can I avoid being stung
Not every bee or wasp is out to sting you. Remember,
they usually attack only when they feel threatened, and
this might be because you are standing too close to
their nest (you may not even realise it). If a wasp or
bee comes closer to you than you’d like, just walk
away calmly. If you wave your arms about and start to
panic, you’ll probably just convince it that you really
are a threat.
Why do wasps like picnics
Wasps love sugary foods, so a picnic for you is a
picnic for them too! Throughout the summer they are
busy feeding their young, so don’t tend to bother
people, but by the end of the season they are at their
most annoying as they search for their favourite
sugary snacks (such as ice creams, fizzy drinks and
fruit). If you prepare a separate picnic for the wasps
– perhaps a plate of sweet, sticky jam or a bottle of
cola – and put it at a safe distance, they can join in
without upsetting your fun. Remember, though,
always look out for them before you sit down, put
your hands down or take a bite of your picnic lunch.
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What do wasps eat
Yellow
and black
warn that
this insect
stings!
Wasps usually eat insects, including caterpillars, ants
and flies. They also feed on household waste and on
the bodies of dead animals. There is one type of
wasp, the tarantula hawk wasp, whose larvae feed on
tarantula spiders. The female wasp watches, waits and
pounces on a tarantula, paralysing it with her sting.
Once her wasp grub has hatched, it sucks the juices
from the still-living, but paralysed, spider!
Wasps love the sweet
taste of fruit.