Warm weather drives many people to step outside to soak up some sun. But as you enjoy your summer barbecue with friends and family, suddenly, a striped little visitor buzzes by. That buzzing intruder means one thing—you’ve got a wasp nest in your backyard. By late summer, wasp nests can house up to 10,000 busy […]
Tag: wasp
A Four-toothed Mason Wasp
This lovely wasp can be found drinking nectar at flowers throughout the eastern United States right now. It is a good wasp to have around the garden because the females round up leaf-rolling caterpillars — the kinds that eat your plants — to provision their nests. When it is time to reproduce, the female wasp […]
A Walk in Central Park
Last week I led a nature walk in Central Park for the American Museum of Natural History’s Membership Department. Even though I got rained on twice, there was a lot to see. Here are some of the wild creatures that were in the park on Wednesday. Turtles were basking in The Lake. Red-eared sliders are […]
Digger Wasp with Katydid
On Biolab Rd at Merritt Island yesterday, I saw a wasp carrying a large insect.It landed on a branch, I guess to rest for a little bit, and this allowed me to take a few photos. I’m no expert on insects, but I’m pretty sure this is a Digger Wasp, perhaps a Great Golden Digger […]
Goodness knows
Kindergarteners swarmed around the khaki-clad naturalist, squealing with excitement, shouting out questions and jockeying for a better view.The adult volunteers on this field trip were a tougher audience. “I’m glad they’re having fun but I don’t see why anyone should care about some bug,” one 30-something mom confided to another, adding, “What good is it, […]
Fio Fio (Elaenia albiceps) and Wasp
I was waiting for a hummingbird when this Fio Fio (Elaenia albiceps chilensis) perches on this flower. Suddenly the wasp appears attracting his attention. Result: unexpected meal. Note: Thanks very much to all who votes for my “Andean hummingbird” for best photo of the year 2012.
A Dragon’s Enemy
A freelance vandal in over his head, a dragon’s enemy drawn to frozen fire – Ichneumon wasp
A Ragged Sun
A wasp leaps past the remains of a ragged sun, coming out clean on the other side. Yellow jacket wasp | Vespula germanica