The weird world of wasps and why we should worry if they are on the wane

The winged insects may have a bad rep but their low profile this summer could spell trouble for the environment

We think of them as pests to run away from, or to squash with the nearest object to hand, before they sting us or target our jam sandwiches. But wasps are actually one of the most fascinating species around; apex predators that kill and dismember prey for their young and have complex and fascinating social lives.

This year they are in the spotlight after experts began to notice they were not around in the usual numbers. Unlike butterflies and bees, there is no nationwide effort to chart wasp numbers; they are very much neglected in the public eye.