Can Wasps Really Recognise Human Faces? IPB Expert Explains

The ability of wasps to recognise human faces has recently become a hot topic on social media. Many believe these insects can remember individuals who disturb their nests and launch retaliatory attacks later. Responding to this phenomenon, Professor Tri Atmowidi, an insect expert from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at IPB University, provided a scientific explanation. According to Prof Tri, the ability of wasps to recognise faces is not merely a myth, but a fact proven through various studies, particularly on certain species. One primary reference is research by Tibbets and a team from the University of Michigan on paper wasps (Polistes fuscatus). Paper wasps possess a complex nervous system and cognitive processes for recognising the faces of fellow colony members. Visually, wasps use eyes with special receptor cells capable of capturing specific colour spectrums. Prof Tri explained that this ability evolved due to social necessity. Within a paper wasp colony, there are several female queen candidates that compete with each other. “They need the ability to recognise other individuals in their group as part of that social interaction,” he said. This visual processing capability subsequently allows them to recognise human faces. It should be noted that not all types of wasps possess this extraordinary ability. The strongest scientific evidence so far has only been found in paper wasps, which have complex colony structures. Conversely, solitary wasps or those with low social levels do not show similar capabilities because they lack the need to recognise individuals in detail. Beyond recognising faces, social wasps also have the potential to remember nest intruders. This is part of the colony’s defence strategy. If they encounter a previously recognised threat again, wasps can deliver a more intense and aggressive response. In addition to sight, wasps use chemical communication through pheromones to spread danger signals to other colony members. The combination of visual recognition (faces and movement) and chemical signals makes their defence system highly effective. Prof Tri urged the public to remain calm and avoid disturbing wasp nests in the surrounding environment to prevent the risk of attacks.