Wasps - much more interesting than boring old bees - Richard "Bugman" Jones

Joint meeting of Leicester Lit & Phil Natural History Section & Leicestershire & Rutland Entomological Society. 

Fear and fascination set wasps apart from other insects. Despite their iconic form and distinctive colours, they are surrounded by myth and misunderstanding. Often portrayed in cartoon-like stereotypes bordering on sad parody, wasps have an unwelcome and undeserved reputation for aggressiveness bordering on vindictive spite. This mistrust is deep-seated in a human history that has awarded commercial and spiritual value to other insects, such as bees, but has failed to recognize any worth in wasps. It's time to put this straight. 

Richard Jones is a nationally acclaimed entomologist, a fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, fellow of the Linnean Society, and past president of the British Entomological and Natural History Society. He has been fascinated by wildlife since a childhood exploring the South Downs and Sussex Weald in search of plants and insects. He now writes about insects, nature and the environment for BBC Wildlife, Gardeners’ World, Countryfile, The Sunday Times, New Scientist and the Guardian and has regular television and radio appearances. Richard has written several books on science and wildlife including Nano Nature, Extreme Insects, The Little Book of Nits, House Guests: House Pests, Call of Nature: The Secret Life of Dung, Ants: The Ultimate Social Insects and the Beetles volume in the New Naturalist series.