My favorite wasp
Jun 22, 2020 20:44:59 #
Both of the wasps are interesting, the Pelicinid especially so.
Somewhat gemlike body parts. Onyx?
The sand wasp may be using the new stink bug as primary prey.
I noticed and texted our state entomologist. They have noticed and are watching.
In the early 80's I was watching Pelicinids at one of my collecting stations for water. Smithsonian research.
A grassy, turf like stream bank, east facing, had a few small Beechtrees over hanging.
Silhouette shots aplenty thru the leaves.
I was not 'doing' that then. Photography more recently.
Bear with me.
They were ovipositing in the turf.
I had a call (letter) from someone doing a PhD thesis on them, he wanted specimens. SO.
I slow walked the bank, when one flew up I speared a flag marker close and numbered and recorded the date.
Thirty days later I dug carefully to find a parasitized grub. ( if lucky, one out of at least ten). A dozen in two summers. Mailed off, my correspondent raised them to adulthood. He never saw a male.
He got a second generation in a flight room in a greenhouse.
Then we lost touch.
I still have specimens from that time and place.
Thanks, Mark.
Bill
Somewhat gemlike body parts. Onyx?
The sand wasp may be using the new stink bug as primary prey.
I noticed and texted our state entomologist. They have noticed and are watching.
In the early 80's I was watching Pelicinids at one of my collecting stations for water. Smithsonian research.
A grassy, turf like stream bank, east facing, had a few small Beechtrees over hanging.
Silhouette shots aplenty thru the leaves.
I was not 'doing' that then. Photography more recently.
Bear with me.
They were ovipositing in the turf.
I had a call (letter) from someone doing a PhD thesis on them, he wanted specimens. SO.
I slow walked the bank, when one flew up I speared a flag marker close and numbered and recorded the date.
Thirty days later I dug carefully to find a parasitized grub. ( if lucky, one out of at least ten). A dozen in two summers. Mailed off, my correspondent raised them to adulthood. He never saw a male.
He got a second generation in a flight room in a greenhouse.
Then we lost touch.
I still have specimens from that time and place.
Thanks, Mark.
Bill
Jun 23, 2020 01:46:01 #
Well you are welcome! A very interesting accounting.
I think I remember you showing samples from your collection once and there were several pelecinids in it.
I did see one once with their abdomen in the ground a couple years ago. I tend to see them where there are both grasses (beetle grub food) and trees. But there is this one mowed grass area in a park where I can see several over a few hours. The soil is noticeably sandy. Maybe its the same wasp over and over? I don't honestly know.
I think I remember you showing samples from your collection once and there were several pelecinids in it.
I did see one once with their abdomen in the ground a couple years ago. I tend to see them where there are both grasses (beetle grub food) and trees. But there is this one mowed grass area in a park where I can see several over a few hours. The soil is noticeably sandy. Maybe its the same wasp over and over? I don't honestly know.
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