Tiny Digger Wasp On Goldenrod
e6filmuser
Registered Users Posts: 3,379 Major grins
It was the first day that my Goldenrod was attracting large numbers of insects, mainly honeybees.
I became aware that this species was feeding on the flowers, with at least two individuals present at times. They were much smaller than a social wasp Vespula, unlike the previous, hoverfly-hunting species I featured. Also, the general impression of their colour was of black with some yellow markings.
These wasps moved around rapidly, mostly spending only a few seconds on an inflorescence. Even then they mostly presented their rear ends to my lens. After an hour or two, I managed to get some usable images. These were shot with my Kiron 105mm macro, using twin TTL flash.
Features I consider to be useful in naming these are the extensive yellow on the face, with a characteristically-shaped boss and abdominal pattern, especially laterally, is distinctive. I am fairly sure that these are of the family Crabronidae and are one of the smaller species.
Harold
I became aware that this species was feeding on the flowers, with at least two individuals present at times. They were much smaller than a social wasp Vespula, unlike the previous, hoverfly-hunting species I featured. Also, the general impression of their colour was of black with some yellow markings.
These wasps moved around rapidly, mostly spending only a few seconds on an inflorescence. Even then they mostly presented their rear ends to my lens. After an hour or two, I managed to get some usable images. These were shot with my Kiron 105mm macro, using twin TTL flash.
Features I consider to be useful in naming these are the extensive yellow on the face, with a characteristically-shaped boss and abdominal pattern, especially laterally, is distinctive. I am fairly sure that these are of the family Crabronidae and are one of the smaller species.
Harold
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Comments
If they were looking around under the flowers they may well be potter wasps after caterpillars.
Brian v.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
Thanks, Brian.
Feeding on the nectar of flowers is a recognised behaviour. Aviation fuel!
However, at the time, they seemed to be doing a lot of feeding for a tiny wasp.
Harold
Agreed- feeding on nectar is a requirement for all wasps. Larger food is only for the larvae.
Brian v.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/