Wasps, Bambaras and Pollinators

One was distressed to read that a group of mourners at Mahaiyawa cemetery had come under ‘a wasp attack’ and that at least 20 victims were admitted to hospital. (However, their condition was not serious.) (The Island, 6 April 2021)

The writer wonders whether these insects were, in fact, wasps or rock bees (Bambara, Apis dorsata). The writer would note that he has had a small comb of a few wasps attached for well over two years to the underside of the table top on which is placed the computer on which this letter is being typed without any conflict or disagreement between the parties concerned.

A colony of rock bees, however, has many individuals, (n.b. the colonies at Sigiriya) and it would be understandable that several ‘victims’ could need to be hospitalised briefly if they are disturbed by stones being thrown at them, loud noise, etc. (However, the writer must observe that there used to be rock bee colonies hanging from rainwater gutters at Royal College in the years he attended school and the parties concerned coexisted in amity with no conflict. These particular colonies of rock bees are no longer to be seen probably due to increased vehicle exhaust emissions and/or urbanisation of gardens and changes in the vegetation of the ‘racecourse’.)

This communication is prompted to draw attention to the need to pay attention to the pressures being exerted on insect pollinators due to the prevalence in modern times of toxic chemicals, loud noise, loss of vegetation due to urbanisation etc. This will, for example, increase agricultural problems and the need to import more to feed ourselves. The importing of coconut oil is just one example.

The elimination of certain pollinators will, also, affect the wildlife and beauty of this country. It is well to bear in mind that the activities of pollinators contribute much to the country. This includes making it attractive to tourists.

Dr. Rohan H Wickramasinghe,

Former President, Sri Lanka Bee Farmers’ Association