I've noticed that there are 2-3 wasps buzzing around my kale plants, but surprisingly, they completely ignore the hefty caterpillars that are just sitting there. Any thoughts on why that is? I'm definitely planning on covering them with netting next season to protect my crops!
2 Answers
It could be that the wasps just don't have any larvae to feed at the moment. Adult wasps prefer sugary foods like nectar or honeydew over insects, especially if they can find something else more appealing, like apples. Last year, wasps wiped out a bunch of caterpillars on my radishes pretty quickly, but it seems like they focus on whatever is easiest to eat for them. They also love snacking on chicken!
Great question! Adult wasps primarily feed on sugars, not the insects they catch. They capture prey mainly to feed their larvae back at the nest. Right now, as their nests start to wind down for the season, they’re probably looking for sugary substances instead of caterpillars. So, it’s likely they’re just not interested in your juicy caterpillars at the moment. Don't be too upset; they've had a busy summer and are just trying to survive now!
I guess the caterpillars will have to watch out for scissors instead!