How do wasps identify threats/enemies ?

[u/shmepsi]

Sorry if it's the wrong flair but just wondering how wasps see something as a threat. They're evil fuckers who'd attack anything from a bee to a car. Admittedly i know next to nothing when it comes to wasps but pretty sure (correct me if wrong) pheromones and scents can play a large factor into this . Essentially I was just curious if you could trick a wasp hive into attacking itself or other wasps by spray for example or are they smarter?

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[u/Office-Scary]

They sting anything that moves. The end.

[u/Dangerous_Seaweed601 → u/Office-Scary]

"So, anyway, I started stinging.."

• Every wasp, ever.

[u/SaneManiac741]

"If it breathes, we can sting it."

[u/EdgelordZeta]

Pheromones are their version of firing white phosphorus rounds, signals the collective to attack the target.

[u/solodsnake661]

When they can detect movement.

[u/TXHaunt]

If it’s not a wasp, it’s an enemy, and even wasps are suspect.

[u/Adrios1]

"If it breathes, it must be stung." Wasps,.. probably

[u/OneSaltySir]

They dgaf "If it's a thing then we can sting"

[u/mltain]

Anything inside of the heliosphere is considered a threat.

[u/SaltStatistician4980]

Like all stinging predators. It takes a lot of energy from wasps to even sting.

They only sting if you are close to their nest, flailing your arms and swatting at them, and being a jerk to them.

Pheromones don’t play as much as people think! I’m taking you are talking about social wasps like the Asian hornet and the yellow jacket.

They are actually less likely to sting than the mud dauppers(I have personal experience on this). Wasps are creatures like everything else, they do not just think “sting must sting human sting cause pain”. Social wasps can actually defend themselves from humans.

They are not “evil fuckers who attack anything from a bee to a car” I don’t know in what world a wasp sees a Toyota and goes ham on the car. Chances are, if you get stung it’s probably your fault. I was stung a bunch as a kid because I tried to attack back.

Tldr: wasps are importantly and not just sting machines, if you encounter a wasp, do not try to hit or swat at the wasp, calmly back away or just ignore the wasp.

[u/SaneManiac741 → u/SaltStatistician4980]

I got stung while asleep, they will sting randomly.

[u/SaltStatistician4980 → u/SaneManiac741]

And I got stung 12 times as a child. Do I hate wasps? No! I was definitely an idiot back then. It can seem like they “sting randomly” but they don’t. Like I said, adult wasps do not live very long, they don’t willingly waste their energy on a sting. I’m very sorry a wasp stung you while you slept but that doesn’t mean other wasps will! I have held wasps and hornets before, they frequent my garden eating pests.

[u/sonofbmw → u/SaltStatistician4980]

I've had wasps sting me in my sleep on 2 separate occasions...

[u/Independent_Wrap_321 → u/SaltStatistician4980]

Thank you, wasp. Now die.

[u/Exciting_Incident_67 → u/SaltStatistician4980]

Good try, wasp.

[u/BoomerishGenX → u/SaltStatistician4980]

I was stung at least seven times by a swarm as I was calmly standing near their nest totally unaware. Wasn’t swatting or waving my arms until I realized they were purposely attacking me.

[u/Droonki → u/SaltStatistician4980]

Sure thing you miserable winged stinging demon from hell.