and compromised the wasp nest. My last post showed adult paper wasps (Polistes metricus) evicting some of their young. The workers were clearing the nest of sick and poorly-developing larvae and pupae. A deadly agent had entered the nest. What was it? I had filmed eighty hours of surveillance video. Maybe I could figure that out.
My first clue was a scene that screamed foul play.
Continue reading A Wasp Whodunnit
Image Credits: Carol Doeringer.
Last month, I shared photos and videos of a paper wasp nest. I showed adults nourishing larvae until the little ones covered themselves with cozy silk blankies and snuggled in to pupate. So sweet…
Except, I left out the story’s cold-hearted, sinister part.
Continue reading A Question of Palace Intrigue
Image Credits: Carol Doeringer.
A wasp nest, I repeated. The one over the sliding glass door.
We went outside for a look. Bert’s look said, you’re nuts.
I didn’t notice the nest until early August, when a wasp walking up the glass caught my eye. I grabbed a ladder and was mesmerized.
Continue reading Wasp Watching
Image Credits: Carol Doeringer.
