A visit from Marcus and Arthur’s dad brought the buzz of learning to life! Tamariki at BestStart Kelvin Grove explored a real wasp nest, discovered fun facts, and deepened their understanding of insects and their role in nature.
Here at BestStart Kelvin Grove, we were lucky enough to get up close and personal with a huge wasp nest. Marcus and Arthur’s dad, Brock, told us he had found an empty wasp nest in his backyard.
Fortunately, he recognised the amazing learning potential and kindly brought it in for our tamariki to explore. Brock shared his knowledge with great enthusiasm, explaining the differences between bees and wasps, and offering fun facts about the structure of the nest.
The tamariki were captivated as they examined the different parts of the nest, including some of the dead larvae and wasps. Don’t worry—an exterminator confirmed that the nest was completely safe to be around children.
We truly appreciate Brock taking the time to come in and teach us; it’s not every day you get to see a real wasp nest!
Did You Know?! Bees vs Wasps: What's the Difference?
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Body Type:
Bees are hairy with a rounder, robust body—perfect for collecting pollen. Wasps are smooth, slender, and have a narrow waist. -
Role in Nature:
Bees are pollinators, helping flowers and plants reproduce. Wasps are scavengers and predators, helping control pest populations. -
Nests:
Bees make waxy hives in sheltered areas. Wasps chew wood fibres mixed with saliva to create paper-like nests found in trees, eaves, or underground. - Stings:
Bees sting once (and die after stinging), while wasps can sting multiple times.
Wasp Nests: A Closer Look
Wasp nests are fascinating, made from a paper-like substance formed by chewing wood fibres and mixing them with saliva. Inside are chambers where the queen lays eggs.
Worker wasps feed the larvae with chewed insects. As they grow, the larvae pupate and emerge as adults, ready to take their place in the colony.