Britain’s wasps are unusually scarce this summer; researchers cannot find enough for experiments, and the few seen are unusually small

• Representative imageBritain’s summer is missing one of its most familiar insects.
• Wasps that usually gather around outdoor food, patrol gardens and become increasingly noticeable in late summer appear unusually scarce in 2026.
• The shortage has become so pronounced that researchers are struggling to collect enough insects for laboratory experiments, while the few wasps being seen appear smaller than expected for the season.