Needed: insect help-strange
Jun 25, 2012 16:44:47 #
I was outside yesterday and this wasp landed about 5 feet from me and I thought it was acting weird so I went to look. I thought it was one wasp on another wasp but when I looked at the pictures on the computer it was clear it was a wasp on a wasp on a wasp. the middle one has the neck of the bottom one in its jaws and the top one has the middle one. Finally the bottom ones head came off and the other two flew off still clamped together. What the hell was going on, any ideas? Sorry about the quality, they were moving around pretty quick.
Jun 25, 2012 17:49:15 #
If I had to guess, they were fighting over being the leader. Or it was a stranger or two that wandered into the wrong area.
Nice catches tho. Good eye!
Erv
Nice catches tho. Good eye!
Erv
Jun 25, 2012 22:52:09 #
I have soaked up a little insect lore, but that is a new one on me. I'd like to see what a hymenopterist would say about this behavior.
Jun 25, 2012 23:21:56 #
Jun 25, 2012 23:22:34 #
Jun 25, 2012 23:28:24 #
Thank you everyone for taking a look. I would really like to know abou this, strange.
Jun 26, 2012 05:29:23 #
Probably some kind of deadly mating ritual where the loser is beheaded or killed. The dominant one gets to mate. Don't know the species though.
Jun 26, 2012 09:51:00 #
Jun 26, 2012 10:06:13 #
Sure.
time and place wrote:
When you find out could you post the answer. Fascinating.
Jun 26, 2012 10:10:41 #
Jun 26, 2012 10:22:34 #
I found a really nice guy who runs a site at www.bugsinthenews.com who identified a bug for me. His name is Jerry Cates and he appears to be immensely knowledgeable and extremely nice. You could ask him what they're doing. My guess is that it's the male losing his head LOL.
Jun 26, 2012 11:22:47 #
Can you send him a picture?
Deewheat wrote:
I found a really nice guy who runs a site at www.bugsinthenews.com who identified a bug for me. His name is Jerry Cates and he appears to be immensely knowledgeable and extremely nice. You could ask him what they're doing. My guess is that it's the male losing his head LOL.
Jun 26, 2012 13:21:26 #
Probably a teritorial dispute. Mating ritals usually involve a queen and none of thoes guys looked like royalty. Or maybe they're from the prev-nest accross the tracks.
Jun 26, 2012 14:09:59 #
jtipps wrote:
Can you send him a picture?
Deewheat wrote:
I found a really nice guy who runs a site at www.bugsinthenews.com who identified a bug for me. His name is Jerry Cates and he appears to be immensely knowledgeable and extremely nice. You could ask him what they're doing. My guess is that it's the male losing his head LOL.
Yes, indeed!
Jun 26, 2012 16:04:25 #
I don't know what was going on but you made me laugh with that nonchalant ... the bottom ones head came off. If you find out what was going on let us know. Sounds like insects get a bit rowdy.
jtipps wrote:
I was outside yesterday and this wasp landed about... (show quote)
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