This wasp is attacking a
caterpillar. I saw it, ran for the camera
(which will spend even MORE time in my pocket now that I nearly missed
this picture), and had time for three quick photos before the wasp flew
away with the caterpillar to have dinner elsewhere.
My yard is mostly pesticide free. Wasps are my largest exception. Yes,
they are interesting, even pretty, but I have two issues with them. They
don't like to be photographed; my second digital camera went flying and
was a total loss after I tried to take a picture of the nest and they
all came at me. The worst though, because admittedly the camera was my
own fault, is that they EAT my CATERPILLARS! You might have been
expecting a sting comment, but even though I've bugged them (ha ha, get
it?) a lot, I haven't been stung (yet {one got me when I was a kid, but
that doesn't count here}). People do not seem to be their favorite food.
Don't go playing with them because I said that - I have NOT tried to
pick one up...
This vile wasp on the left is chowing down on a
Zebra Heliconian Butterfly
caterpillar. He flew away carrying the remains just after I
took this picture. I tried to follow him home so I could eradicate the
whole family, but he flew faster than I could follow.
I've noticed that the wasps are always on patrol. They fly
facing my host plants, a few inches away, searching, always searching
for caterpillars and other creatures to
eat. I HATE them!
This is the last photo I took with the camera I lost my grip on when the
wasps all came at me. The nest was under my mailbox. I REALLY enjoyed
using the bug spray on this wasp nest!
In this picture of a paper wasp nest, you can see the larvae (one dead
on the side, others peering up from inside the holes) and the covers on
the maturing wasps.
...and a few more pictures of some South Florida caterpillar eating
paper wasps:
My wasps will nest just about anywhere they can find some protection. This
nest is in a small hollow on the side of a tree. I've also found them in
plants, under the edge of the roof, on flowerpots, and elsewhere.
The larger bug on the left is a dead
Mydas Fly. The wasp on the right seemed
to be chewing on it when I took the picture. I checked back later, and
found just the dead one. That evening it was gone too.
There are more bee/wasp pictures on my bees and
wasps page.
Be careful if you spray wasp nests. Do it on a calm day so you can
keep the spray mostly just on the nest where it won't be so bad for your
butterflies and good bugs.
I captured a parasitic wasp emerging from a
Zebra Heliconian butterfly chrysalis.
I also had some gnat like
things lay eggs on my Gulf Fritillary
Butterfly caterpillar, and 81 little buggies
emerged instead of the butterfly. After looking at the bugs with
my magnifying glass, I think they're wasps too. Check them out
here.