Dead or Alive?

This wasp is on my car. Looks like it was trying to fly away as I hit it. Only half squashed, I daren't try to see if its alive or not. If it was a half squashed cat or a dog it would be a different matter completly. Why do we regard different creatures with different degrees of care and respect? Are the animals we can't communicate with less important to us? If we think we're in danger of being hurt *stung* by them are we going to lash out at them first? *squashed*