The Amazing Role of Hornets: More Than Just Stinging! The "Insect x Medical" Revolution Pioneered by Hornets

1. The Resurgence of the Feared "Wasp"

Even the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote them off as "unpleasant insects." Hornets and paper wasps have long been avoided, but this label obscures their true value. The latest article from InfoMoney delves into their role as the "keystone of ecosystems" hidden behind the fear.

2. New Perspectives Reflected in the Exhibition "World of Wasps"

The exhibition "World of Wasps," held at the UCL Grant Museum of Zoology in London (from June 25, 2025, to January 24, 2026), is curated by behavioral ecologist Professor Seirian Sumner. It allows visitors to experience the "wasp's perspective" through VR and large paper art, challenging people's fixed notions.University College London

Professor Sumner states, "Wasps provide a triple benefit of pest control, pollination, and medicine," and is also promoting the "#WaspLove" movement online.X (formerly Twitter)

3. Natural Pest Hunters—A Future Without Dependence on Pesticides

Wasps hunt caterpillars, aphids, and beetles as food for their larvae. "If wasps disappear, reliance on pesticides will accelerate," says Professor Sumner. It is estimated that they prevent damage worth about £100 million annually in the UK alone.

Recent field data from Brazilian sugarcane fields reported that the paper wasp Polistes canadensis reduced armyworm damage by 97%. There are examples of pesticide costs being reduced by 15% over two years, and estimates suggest that one colony provides pest control worth 4,000 yen annually.

4. Unsung Heroes of Pollination—Figs and Wasps

Wasps, often thought to be poor pollinators due to their lack of hair, fly around in search of nectar and carry pollen. Over 1,000 species of figs rely on fig wasps to bear fruit, directly linking them to the food web of tropical forests.

5. Medical Frontiers Opened by Wasp Venom

The venom peptide MP1 from the Brazilian wasp Polybia paulista is gaining attention as a "nano-drill" that selectively destroys cancer cells, reducing mouse tumors by 50%. Lactone-based substances extracted from nest materials have also been reported to kill 99.9% of MRSA.

6. Protein Source and Culture—Wasps on the Dining Table

In Japan and Thailand, there is a culture of eating larvae as "wasp larvae," and in Europe, insect food startups are developing high-protein bars. Ina City in Nagano Prefecture is turning the traditional food "hebo rice" into a tourist resource and is planning overseas shipments.

7. Masters of Paper—Biomimetics Taught by Nests

Wasp nests are made by chewing wood fibers to create "natural paper." The lightweight and strong hexagonal lattice is applied to drones and spacecraft panels, and ESA plans to use it in lunar habitation experiment modules. The exhibition features a giant paper nest by artist Peter Ayres, which is popular.University College London

8. The Evolution of "Altruism" Demonstrated by Social Insects

Worker hornets forgo their own reproduction to assist the queen. This behavior is key to the evolutionary biology of "altruism," and the latest bio-logging research has revealed a democratic aspect where nest relocation is decided through "consensus."

9. How Did Social Media React?

• "Who knew the picnic nemesis was actually an environmental hero!" (@NatureGeek)

• "#WaspLove opened my eyes. From now on, I'll observe instead of swat" (@GreenParent)

• "The 'World of Wasps' exhibition, I cried with emotion when I dived into the nest in VR. A must-see for families" (@CIA_UCL)X (formerly Twitter)

From experts to general users, surprise and praise are pouring in, and the "rediscovery of wasps" is becoming a definite trend.

10. What If Wasps Disappeared?—Scenario Analysis

According to FAO estimates, insect pollination, including wasps, supports 35% of the world's major crops, with an economic value of $235 billion annually. If wasps disappear, food prices will soar, and reliance on pesticides will chain-react, increasing the risk of ecosystem collapse.

11. New Risks Brought by Climate Change

As temperatures rise, the overwintering range shifts northward, expanding colony size by 1.4 times, while heatwaves increase nest collapses. The CSIRO model in Australia predicts a "10-20% decrease in pollination efficiency due to shifts in egg-laying timing."

12. What We Can Do

• Create a "welcome zone" by placing wood chips and water in the garden in spring

• Avoid using unnecessary pesticides during the early summer colony formation period

• Contribute data to the citizen science project "Big Wasp Survey"

• Share basic actions to avoid stings with family

13. Cultural Shift in Depicting Wasps

In the latest 'Star Wars' animation, the "Wasp Knight" appears, and Google Trends shows a 3.2-fold increase in searches for "wasp pollination" over five years. Meanwhile, "wasp killer spray" searches have decreased by 25%, indicating a shift in image.

14. Conclusion—A Future with the "Little Warriors"

Wasps sting, build nests, and sometimes protect our tables and laboratories. Fear or coexistence—the time to choose is now. Next time you hear a buzz, pause and listen. That low buzz might be the sound of Earth's healthy breathing.

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