Washington – The wasp population in the Inland Northwest has seen a notable decline, and experts point to a cold snap in May as the primary cause. Entomologists at Washington State University have analyzed the impact of the cooler temperatures and rain, suggesting these conditions made it challenging for queen wasps to forage for food.
The adverse weather conditions led to many wasp colonies suffering and not growing through early summer as they typically would. Those colonies that managed to survive are expected to emerge in the fall, but in smaller numbers than usual.
These findings indicate a significant shift in the wasp population dynamics in the region, which could have broader ecological implications. The experts’ insights provide valuable information for understanding the effects of weather patterns on local insect populations.
