Wasting Wasps?

A frequently asked question is 'What's the point of wasps?' They sting, they irritate, they land on our picnic food! A paper in Biological Reviews has examined 500 publications on these insects, in an attempt to provide answers (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/29/stinging-wasps-are-precious-not-pointless-say-scientists). The review notes the world has around 100,000 wasp species. 70,000 of these are parasitic, largely on other arthropods (an important role). The 33,000 species of hunting wasps are the top predators of the insect world (arthropod 'sharks'?). They are important predators of insect pests, that would otherwise decimate crops and natural vegetation. Wasps are also valued pollinators. These hymenopterans are also of medical importance. Their venom stings contain powerful antibiotics. Yellow jacket venom is even being investigated for a potential role in cancer treatment. Bees are close relatives of the wasps. They also sting. They seem, however, to employ a better Public Relations company than do the wasps! Or, perhaps it's the honey bribe (only really substantially provided by one species)?