Black&Red Mason Wasp
Oct 22, 2018 18:53:41 #
This little lady, Pachodynerus erynnis, developed a new application for my tripod, which has a sort of perforated top. Mason Wasps find holes like this, paralyze a caterpillar (e.g., cabbage looper), place it in a hole, lay an egg on it, then seal the hole with mud. Here she is with a bit of mud in her mandibles. Nikon D7100, Tamron 180 mm macro lens, SB-600 speedlight at 1/4 pwr on camera. f/9.0, 1/2500-sec, ISO 1000
Oct 22, 2018 19:36:00 #
Have seen this behavior in others. Unused shelf body had holes for shelves full of mud from smaller ones. Even in an Allen screw hole. Nicely done.
Oct 22, 2018 20:01:43 #
Thanks, Bill. I also captured a little one exiting -- almost adult size, btw.
Wish we had a wasp (or a Lady Bird beetle) to eat up these mealy bugs.
Wish we had a wasp (or a Lady Bird beetle) to eat up these mealy bugs.
Oct 22, 2018 20:08:44 #
JessM wrote:
Thanks, Bill. I also captured a little one exiting -- almost adult size, btw.
Wish we had a wasp (or a Lady Bird beetle) to eat up these mealy bugs.
Wish we had a wasp (or a Lady Bird beetle) to eat up these mealy bugs.
Come spring buy lacewing eggs and ladybugs live on line. They can cohabitate(not eat each other) and will do a good job of control. Being 'perenial' they will be back next year. Practical entomology.
Bill
Oct 22, 2018 20:10:37 #
JessM wrote:
Thanks, Bill. I also captured a little one exiting -- almost adult size, btw.
Wish we had a wasp (or a Lady Bird beetle) to eat up these mealy bugs.
Wish we had a wasp (or a Lady Bird beetle) to eat up these mealy bugs.
And a "little"one may be the male. Little meaning a young one, no.
Bill
One last thing. Simply google 'natural predators for mealybugs'
Oct 23, 2018 04:39:50 #
newtoyou wrote:
And a "little"one may be the male. Little meaning a young one, no.
Bill.... (edit)...
Bill.... (edit)...
Bill, I had to look that one up -- to find that there is a sexual dimorphism in this species, the diagnostic key being the clypeus, with is yellow (or probably sometimes ivory) in the male. See the upper left inset photo here, in which the clypeus is yellow:
https://cjai.biologicalsurvey.ca/bmc_05/bmc05images/general/a04-1.jpg
This dimorphism occurs in lots -- if not all -- bees as well. Here's a diagram of insect "faces."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clypeus
I'm willing to bet you're right about size difference though, as it's pretty common among insects.
Thanks for the nice catch.... 73... ~jessM
PS: If I'm beginning to sound like a field biologist, just ignore the sign. My undergrad training was in biology, but the rest of it was in mammalian physiology and biochemistry, all pretty much useless in this hobby … :-(
Oct 23, 2018 09:18:12 #
Oct 23, 2018 15:45:54 #
Oct 23, 2018 20:49:17 #
JessM wrote:
Bill, I had to look that one up -- to find that th... (show quote)
A pretty sure way(maybe not the best) of telling a male wasp or bee from a female is grab it. And no, I would not say useless, just a small niche.
From about fifteen on I was very interested in female human anatomy.
Did a study of the diversity of body styles. Only PhD thesis to get an x rating since Masters and Johnson, or so I heard.
Have a good evening.
Bill
Oct 23, 2018 22:18:50 #
Oct 27, 2018 15:02:19 #
newtoyou wrote:
… Did a study of the diversity of body styles. Only PhD thesis to get an x rating since Masters and Johnson, or so I heard. ...
Bill
Bill
Interesting, Bill. You're either a gross (no pun intended) anatomist, or a physical anthropologist. My good friend, the late Clyde Collins Snow, claimed the only way he could tell the sexes apart was to view their bones. He was very good at it too. The Dallas Medical Examiner's bunch once sent him some bones to theorize on, and he immediately reached into the mess and picked out the os penis of a raccoon. His report to the ME was a hoot. But when the judge asked to see it, the ME called and begged Clyde to 'revise and amend' the report. Of course he did. …. 73, ~jessM
Oct 27, 2018 15:05:09 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
A nice picture! And interesting conversation to boot.
Thanks, Mark. I'll bet Bill sends his thanks as well... :-)
Oct 27, 2018 15:29:43 #
JessM wrote:
Interesting, Bill. You're either a gross (no pun ... (show quote)
The female study a joke, however if you can call it a hobby, forensic anthropology would be one of mine. Have read the writings of many Dr. William Bass students.
He and others have a lot of stories of the days before forensics would be a reality. Dr. Snow was the subject of many. Never watched a human return to the earth, but many a roadkill to see succession of insects. Wrote on UHH about looks I got collecting. I used chopsticks as tweezers.
None of my studies have led to a degree. A lot of things I haven't used in years. Then came this site. NONE of my face to face friends are even remotely 'into' this.
One last bit. My Grandad used a 'coon' os , sharpened as a toothpick. I grew up coon hunting with him. Bring up theme to All in the family.
Bill
P S, I bet he was more of a character in person. Dr. Snow.
Oct 27, 2018 16:51:13 #
Yep, he was ---I miss him greatly. But don't get me started on Clyde Snow stories, or they'll kick us off the group... :-)
Oct 27, 2018 21:35:58 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.