wasp watching photographer
This wasp looks scary but she was so intent on building her nest and laying her eggs that over a week-end I photographed her from a distance of about 3 cm several times. She was very patient with me.
The wasp is a species of Ropalidia (Vespidae: Polistinae) a social wasp. The female is initiating a nest. She overwintered as an adult carrying male sperm ready to fertilise her eggs to produce daughters who will join her working on the nest. Males, like all male Hymenoptera (bees, wasps and ants), will be produced from the unfertilised eggs. The prey is caught and macerated and fed mouth to mouth to the larvae. The prey of social wasps has changed in nature and is no longer for paralysis of invertebrates but for defence of the nest and can give vertebrates such as ourselves a nasty reaction. Each female when she stings leaves a scent marker for the other females to home in on the intruder.
explore #447
Comments and faves
ganagafoto, J Cageao, BAM @ GOSH phase 2a, esta_ahi, and 54 other people added this photo to their favorites.
shellyrm (57 months ago | reply)
Is this wasp alive in this shot??? I just had a yellow jacket hive break through my bedroom ceiling. I still think they are amazing creatures but 10,000 of them gets a little scary!!
Amazing shot!!
ilsebatten (57 months ago | reply)
shellrym this wasp was very much alive and laying her eggs. Have no idea why she didn't sting me. Our local entomologist says: The wasp is a species of Ropalidia (Vespidae: Polistinae) a social wasp. The female which you photographed is initiating a nest. She overwintered as an adult carrying male sperm ready to fertilise her eggs to produce daughters who will join her working on the nest. Males, like all male Hymenoptera (bees, wasps and ants), will be produced from the unfertilised eggs. The prey is caught and macerated and fed mouth to mouth to the larvae. The prey of social wasps has changed in nature and is no longer for paralysis of invertebrates but for defence of the nest and can give vertebrates such as ourselves a nasty reaction. Each female when she stings leaves a scent marker for the other females to home in on the intruder.
tanakawho (57 months ago | reply)
Gee! What a great photo!
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(Gary) [deleted] (57 months ago | reply)
Wonderful close-up!
Spec Nature
petehud (56 months ago | reply)
Gosh - superb capture... makes me shiver though! ;-)
ilsebatten (56 months ago | reply)
Thank you Pete
Dr. Keats (56 months ago | reply)
Absolutely astonishing!
BAM @ GOSH phase 2a (56 months ago | reply)
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Hans-Ztz (56 months ago | reply)
Blue Ribbon Photography (Invited Photos ONLY)
remo_p (56 months ago | reply)
Wow
Salvatore Lapignola (55 months ago | reply)
really nice photo.
chris.merwe (55 months ago | reply)
Awesome series here Ilse !!!!!
chris.merwe (55 months ago | reply)
Please add this fine image to Mega Shot; Post 1 - Nominate 4 Mega Shots
MKhalidIbrahim (55 months ago | reply)
respect!
jannepaint (55 months ago | reply)
Wow! This is an awesome photo! Perfect!
phoebe reid (55 months ago | reply)
Oh, she does look scary! Great shot!
turtlemom4bacon (55 months ago | reply)
Amazing photo!
Thank you for adding this
to the Natural Excellence Group!
jannepaint (55 months ago | reply)
This is a magnificent photo and deserves this special award. Keep up the great work!
Defender's Macro and Close Up Group
RearVieWmiRRr (55 months ago | reply)
Oh WOW!!!!
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shutterbugs45 [deleted] (55 months ago | reply)
splendid macro
This great photo was seen in Defender's Macro and Close Up Group
shutterbugs45 [deleted] (55 months ago | reply)
astounding
This great photo was seen in Defender's Macro and Close Up Group
guenterleitenbauer (55 months ago | reply)
Great work!
Seen in the Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST GROUP
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2121studio (55 months ago | reply)
This great photo is seen in:
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Nejdet Düzen (55 months ago | reply)
Nice shot..
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BluAlien (55 months ago | reply)
Seen In Beautiful Bugs!
Congratulations!! Your Bug Has Been Selected as Admins Choice "Bug Of The Day" For: 12/04/2007
Shotbyscott (55 months ago | reply)
So impressive! Isn't it interesting how brave we become behind a camera!
Janet 59 (55 months ago | reply)
OUTSTANDING!!! I cannot believe it let you.
You are definitely a Nature Watcher!
Mr.Enjoy (55 months ago | reply)
Amazing....
The Nature Group
Superb Marcro...
No wonder shes watching the photographer...
Thanx for the info :D
Congratulations!
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Olsen P.H. (55 months ago | reply)
awesome
This great photo was seen in Defender's Macro and Close Up Group
Harold_5056 (55 months ago | reply)
Seen in the Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST GROUP
Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST
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aussiegall (55 months ago | reply)
whoa, now thats one amazing macro. Incredible
Extraordinary Capture! You deserve another Buzz and Bug Award as seen in our pool
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DEFENDER01 {Going back to the Forest.} (55 months ago | reply)
Wow he sure does seem to be watching you.
This is a magnificent photo and deserves this special award. Keep up the great work!
Defender's Macro and Close Up Group
Shortshooter - Al (55 months ago | reply)
Wow, what a great macro shot.
Thank you for adding this
to the Natural Excellence Group!
_ØяAcLә_ (55 months ago | reply)
This Image deserves The Marvelous Photo Award!
macropoulos (55 months ago | reply)
Perfect!!!
One award from MacroFoted Group
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a Spectacular Photo of an Insect!
You are invited to post this image to "Spectacular Insects, invite only!
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Wild_Moon_Rising (55 months ago | reply)
Absolutely Stunning !!!
This great photo was seen in Defender's Macro and Close Up Group
gargaro (55 months ago | reply)
Great shot!
Stock Shot Group
Nicolas Moulin (Nimou) (55 months ago | reply)
One award from MacroFoted Group
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Seen in Macrofoted ( Post 1 / Comment 2) (?)
dgcampillo (55 months ago | reply)
Excellent
One award from MacroFoted Group
Rareimage Photography (55 months ago | reply)
Post 1, Nominate 4 Mega Shots
:RobArt: (55 months ago | reply)
wow! breathtaking!
Absolutely Spectacular Shot!
Stock Shot Group
limonium64 (55 months ago | reply)
Los ojos impresionan. Gran macro
Extraordinary Capture! You deserve another Buzz and Bug Award as seen in our pool
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robelsas (55 months ago | reply)
Great shot!
Stock Shot Group
Rodrigo Larrabure (55 months ago | reply)
Wow! Superb!
Absolutely Spectacular Shot!
Stock Shot Group
calynlanuza (55 months ago | reply)
WoW!!!!
Gordon _Iowa (55 months ago | reply)
Excellent....
Seen at Happy Clicking!
Gravityx9 (55 months ago | reply)
A big APLAUSE !
APPLAUSE
Francisco Acuña (55 months ago | reply)
"MOSCA AWARD" : Post 1- Give 1
tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp (55 months ago | reply)
Absolutely Spectacular Shot!
Stock Shot Group
Bea Kotecka *Come back :) * (55 months ago | reply)
INCREDIBLE shot....
Please add this fine image to Mega Shot; Post 1 - Nominate 4 Mega Shots