Common Wasp: A Misunderstood and Understudied Insect That Citizen Scientists Helped to Uncover in UK

The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is one of the most familiar insects to most people in the UK, as it is often seen buzzing around in late summer.

However, despite its ubiquity, little is known about its ecology and dispersal behaviours in its native range.

A recent study led by UCL researchers has shed some light on these aspects, using data and samples collected by thousands of volunteers through a citizen science project called the Big Wasp Survey.

The Big Wasp Survey

(Photo : Karen Ducey/Getty Images)

The Big Wasp Survey, sponsored by the Royal Entomological Society, has been running annually since 2017.

Anyone can take part by making a homemade trap with an old plastic bottle with a little bit of beer to entice wasps.

For the first few years, citizen scientists were asked to send in the wasps they had trapped, but since the Covid-19 pandemic, participants have been taught how to identify their wasps at home using online videos.

The project aims to collect information on the distribution and diversity of wasp species across the UK, as well as to raise awareness and appreciation of these often-maligned insects.

Wasps are important pollinators and predators of pests, but they are also considered nuisances and invaders by many people.

The Big Wasp Survey hopes to change this perception by engaging the public in learning more about these fascinating creatures.

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The genetic insights

For the present study, published in Insect Molecular Biology, the UCL-led research team analysed 393 wasp samples collected in the first two years of the survey.

By comparing samples collected all across the country, the researchers were able to conduct the first large-scale genetic analysis of the common wasp across its native range.

The results revealed a single population of the wasp across Britain, while the insect's genetics were more differentiated across the Irish Sea in Northern Ireland.

The researchers said that this demonstrates that the wasp is effective at dispersing itself widely, which may be one reason for its success in human-modified environments, both in its native range in Europe and as an invasive species in Asia and elsewhere.

The lead author of the study, Iona Cunningham-Eurich, explained that their findings suggested that the common wasp is very good at spreading across the landscape, which may be because the queens are able to fly great distances, either on their own steam, aided by the wind, or accidentally transported by people.

She also said that she started the research as an MSci student before beginning a PhD at UCL.

The co-author and co-founder of the Big Wasp Survey, Professor Adam Hart of the University of Gloucestershire, commented that their study showcases the potentially immense value of citizen science projects.

He also said that even though the samples were simply and inexpertly preserved, they were still able to conduct advanced genetic analyses and yield very useful findings.

The researchers hoped that their study will inspire more people to join the Big Wasp Survey and contribute to further understanding of these insects.

They also plan to extend their analysis to other wasp species and regions in future work.

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