Can a wasp get drunk?

Yes, a wasp can get drunk, as wasps and other insects that feed on fermented fruits and sugary substances can become intoxicated from alcohol produced by fermentation, similar to how bees can get drunk. Wasps are attracted to sweet foods, fruits, and fermented beverages, especially in late summer and fall when they seek sugars, and they feed on overripe, fermenting fruits that contain ethanol produced by yeast, and on spilled beer, wine, and sugary drinks at picnics, and they can ingest enough alcohol to become intoxicated, showing impaired flight, uncoordinated movement, and inability to fly properly, similar to drunk behavior. This drunkenness can make wasps more aggressive or sluggish. Additionally, wasps can get drunk from feeding on fermented nectar. Research has shown that insects have similar neurotransmitter responses to alcohol as mammals, though they metabolize it differently. While wasp drunkenness is not same as human drunkenness due to different physiology, they do show behavioral changes after consuming alcohol. So yes, wasps can get drunk from fermented fruits and alcoholic drinks, and this is often observed in fall when fruits ferment and wasps are attracted to them, leading to more stings as intoxicated wasps may be more defensive. To prevent drunk wasps at outdoor gatherings, keep sweet drinks covered and clean up spilled alcohol and overripe fruits.