Introduction: The mysterious origin of the name “Jasper”

The name “Jasper” for wasps is somewhat mysterious, as its origin is not completely clear. The term has been in use for centuries, but its exact meaning and where it came from is still a topic of debate among etymologists and entomologists. However, despite the lack of a definitive answer, numerous theories have been proposed to explain the origin of the name “Jasper” for wasps.

Historical references to wasps as “Jaspers”

Historically, the name “Jasper” has been used to refer to wasps in English literature for hundreds of years. For example, in Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest,” the character Caliban refers to “yellow Jaspers,” which are believed to be wasps. Similarly, in the 17th century, the poet Edmund Waller wrote a poem called “The Wasp,” in which he refers to the insect as a “Jasper.” These references suggest that the name “Jasper” was in common use at the time, but its meaning and origin were likely already obscure.