For most of us, fewer wasps and yellow jackets is welcome news. It means eating outside is much more pleasant. But it’s not welcome news if you’re counting on yellow jackets for your doctorate, like Ben Taylor. He studies how the insects build their nests and search for food. This summer and fall, they’ve been mysteriously quiet.
“We’re not exactly sure why there are fewer numbers. It could be a parasite, it could be some sort of predator,” said Taylor.
Phil Pelleteri studies insects for a living with UW-Extension. He’s also mystified by the disappearance of so many of these stinging, aggressive insects.