Paper wasp
Are these the big chunkas that grab on to the whole bodies of grasshoppers and pull them into their nests for the bebes?
Comment on Just landed next to me.
pulsewidth@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Paper wasp, nice photo. These guys are honestly fairly chill as long as you’re not close to their nest (like inside 1m), and they’re important pollinators and great pest removal experts.
profgrumpypants@midwest.social 3 weeks ago
pulsewidth@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
They’re not huge, under 2cm. They catch spiders and caterpillars according to wiki, I’ve mostly seen them with small caterpillars. And yep - back to their cool hexagon nests for the larvae and queen.
Here’s a webpage with a close relative Aus wasp that makes the same kinds of nests, lots of good pics. www.brisbaneinsects.com/…/PaperWasps.htm
profgrumpypants@midwest.social 3 weeks ago
Ah, these aren’t the big chunkas I am talking about but maybe their distant cousins. I am not even sure how to describe the guys I am talking about. Gigantic though, they’re pretty big. Around 5cm in length. Orange like too. Thanks for the website, the info is great and I am going to pass it on.
pulsewidth@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Maybe some kind of spider wasp aka tarantula hawk. They’re much bigger and IMO very pretty. Often attract some observers if they’re dragging away a big spider they’ve caught near a school or house. I’ve seen the orange and black common one most often, they’re loud and and can give you a shock if they fly past your head. Cheers www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/…/spider-wasp
DiaDeLosMuertos@aussie.zone 3 weeks ago
Oh thanks. I didn’t know what it was.