GETTING TO KNOW SOME WASPS

10/14/2011

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of
strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
- Rachel Carson

photo by B.Seeton

I've been photographing paper wasps a lot lately. They've been around where I photograph bees and I've begun studying them. I've been told by many people that wasps are mean and that they'll sting just to sting. I've been cautious around them because I know they can sting an unlimited amount of times, but I'm beginning to believe that most will only sting when they feel threatened or when they've been caught off guard.

wasp on my hand by Betsy Seeton

Paper wasps on me October 14, 2011 - photo collage by Betsy Seeton

Over the past several months, I've been around a lot of wasps and I've never had one come at me or show aggression. I have yet to be stung by one. Usually, when I'm photographing them, they fly away quickly, unlike bees who often let me take picture after picture as though I belong there and am part of the scenery. I've only recently been able to get close to paper wasps and other kinds of wasps. Today, I encouraged a paper wasp to crawl on my hand from a flower. I watched closely to see if he was showing fear; I only saw what appeared to be curiosity.

Paper wasp taken by Betsy Seeton

The spider in the wasp's mouth (below) will likely be fed to larvae in a mud nest.

This wasp recently caught a spider by Betsy Seeton

I've watched wasps and bees going for nectar on the same flowers for quite some time and I've not seen them fight, but today something different happened. This particular flower (pictured below) is normally only occupied by honey bees. I know this because I visit this spot often. Today was the first time I've seen a wasp on the flower. As you can see from the photo below, there were three honey bees and one paper wasp. The wasp began headbutting each bee off the flower! Most bees would simply oblige and go to the next flower. In my experience, honey bees are anything but combative when they're out getting nectar.

wasps and honey bees by Betsy Seeton

But there was one bee that wasn't going to be pushed around so easily.

by Betsy Seeton

Below the wasp uses his foot to push the honey bee.

by Betsy Seeton

The shove that the wasp gave the bee only pushed the bee off balance, so the wasp geared up his leg and went for a super punch.

by Betsy Seeton

Here the punch is in progress and it knocked the bee off the flower, but the interesting thing was that the bee came back!

by Betsy Seeton

So this time the wasp didn't just use his leg, he gave the bee a headbutt and the bee went flying off the flower. It's blurry because I didn't have my camera set for an action shot, but it still shows what transpired.

Below is the wasp while he is sill puffed up and
slightly in the air immediately following the headbutt.

by Betsy Seeton

The bee was not going to take this punishment! She comes in for a headbutt of her own only she just tapped the wasp and he wasn't even flustered. The bee tried one more unsuccessful dive bomb, and then landed on the flower again. It's so interesting to witness the different personalities that insects have.

by Betsy Seeton

Above, the bee is giving the flower another try. This bee seemed determined not to be bossed around by the wasp. The wasp just did another headbutt though and the bee chose to move on.

by Betsy Seeton

The wasp is now content having the flower all to himself. He also found a tiny bug on the flower, which you can see in the image below if you know what you're looking for. When wasps are eating, they look like they're grooming themselves. They start using their legs to wipe their head the way a cat does. It was after watching this several times and then examining the photos that I realized whenever I see this grooming like behavior, the wasp is munching on an insect.

Eating a bug by Betsy Seeton

paper wasp on me - by Betsy Seeton

Wasps, unlike bees, enjoy human food. I can usually lure them off a window sill, or elsewhere in my house, by offering something tasty. Today it was an apple core with honey. I used my finger dipped in honey one time. They will stay calmly on the food (or sticky finger) while I take them outside. Some people believe these creatures are simply mean spirited. I disagree. I've seen some get agitated, but as a general rule I've not them found aggressive toward me.

I once relocated a large hive using a garbage bag that I quickly put around their hive while dislodging it from my porch ceiling. I had movers who weren't comfortable working around the hive. I sealed the bag with my hand and walked with it to a location near the end of my property and set the bag down. I let it open on its own while I dashed back to the porch. The wasps didn't try to remake their home in the old location.

This wasp had been inside my cabin and I used honey to lure him outside.

paper wasp by Betsy Seeton

A few days ago I watched this ladybug and paper wasp meet. It was very surprising that the ladybug walked right up to the wasp and he backed down! There was no altercation and each went their separate ways.