Why do wasps enter lights/ (1 Viewer)

[louisfh]

Why do wasps enter lights?

At my school we have fluorescent strip lights and I've often noticed lots of little things lying on the bottom of the inside the housing of the lights. Only recently I actually saw a wasp flying about inside one of these lights and at one point a stairway was closed because of the numbers around the light! I counted 44 in one single strip light!

Is there any reason that wasps enter these sorts of lights and do they enter them and then lay their eggs? I can't understand how else so many wasps would be able to get into one light! I did a quick google but thought there must be somebody on here who would know.
Thanks.
Louis

 

[harry eales]

At my school we have fluorescent strip lights and I've often noticed lots of little things lying on the bottom of the inside the housing of the lights. Only recently I actually saw a wasp flying about inside one of these lights and at one point a stairway was closed because of the numbers around the light! I counted 44 in one single strip light!

Is there any reason that wasps enter these sorts of lights and do they enter them and then lay their eggs? I can't understand how else so many wasps would be able to get into one light! I did a quick google but thought there must be somebody on here who would know.
Thanks.
Louis

Hello Louis,

Many insects other than moths are attracted to light, in fact most insects can be found in greater or smaller numbers at light traps. Often in lighting strips you will find many insect species that have simply been attracted there by the light, moths, flies etc, and sometimes wasps. They seem to be able to find their way in not out again.

Wasps are carniverous insects and will cut up and eat or take to their nest for the larvae to feed on, almost any creature or part thereof. They may be able to scent the dead insects in the light fittings, or it may just be the light that attracts them. They certainly won't be there to lay eggs. Only the Queen wasp can do that and she builds a nest for that purpose.

Harry

 

[louisfh]

Hello Louis,

Many insects other than moths are attracted to light, in fact most insects can be found in greater or smaller numbers at light traps. Often in lighting strips you will find many insect species that have simply been attracted there by the light, moths, flies etc, and sometimes wasps. They seem to be able to find their way in not out again.

Wasps are carniverous insects and will cut up and eat or take to their nest for the larvae to feed on, almost any creature or part thereof. They may be able to scent the dead insects in the light fittings, or it may just be the light that attracts them. They certainly won't be there to lay eggs. Only the Queen wasp can do that and she builds a nest for that purpose.

Harry

Thanks for the very interesting answer. I didn't realise that so many insects were attracted to lights and other than by deduction (which had so far produced the idea that the wasps were breeding in the lights!) I would never have thought that wasps would be. I think you may be right about them searching for food, as there are sometimes what look to be small maggots in the lights. I guess that the much larger numbers this year are possibly reflective of a better year for wasps in general, I certainly seem to have seen more this year.
Thanks again, I doubt that any of the science teachers would have been able to give a better answer. Or an answer at all!
Louis

 

[brianfm]

An interesting post.

I remember as a youngster and out camping, killing wasps as they entered my tent (I hate the things) and wondered why a steady stream of wasps kept on coming. I read years later that a dead wasp gives of pheromones which attract other wasps as a kind of defence system. I wonder if this could be playing a part in what you saw. I wonder if Harry can confirm the truth of what I read?

 

[harry eales]

An interesting post.

I remember as a youngster and out camping, killing wasps as they entered my tent (I hate the things) and wondered why a steady stream of wasps kept on coming. I read years later that a dead wasp gives of pheromones which attract other wasps as a kind of defence system. I wonder if this could be playing a part in what you saw. I wonder if Harry can confirm the truth of what I read?

Hello Brian,
I understand that Social Wasps and Honey Bees will react to the scent of sting venom (poison) and are attracted by the same. Even if you kill the wasp that may have stung you, the scent of it's venom will attract other wasps to you.

Best not to swat them in the first place. Wasps only sting if they feel threatened, flapping your hands about only increases your chances of being stung, it does not reduce it.

I've handled bees and wasps for over 50 years and have yet to be stung. Having said that, I suppose the next one I meet, will. lol.

Harry

 

[brianfm]

Hello Brian,
I understand that Social Wasps and Honey Bees will react to the scent of sting venom (poison) and are attracted by the same. Even if you kill the wasp that may have stung you, the scent of it's venom will attract other wasps to you.

Best not to swat them in the first place. Wasps only sting if they feel threatened, flapping your hands about only increases your chances of being stung, it does not reduce it.

I've handled bees and wasps for over 50 years and have yet to be stung. Having said that, I suppose the next one I meet, will. lol.

Harry

Thanks for that Harry.

I used to be a flapper I'm afraid. I contol myself these days, but don't find it easy.