Paper wasp are insects that build their nests with papery material.
The nest is constructed by the collection of dead wood material and mixing them with saliva.
Amazingly, the nest is water resistant.
This particular nest suspended from a ficus tree branch in my garden.
The nest is a nursery with one larvae to each cell.
I could see the larvae move in and out.
Wasps are considered beneficial insects by gardeners.
The larvae are fed on chewed up caterpillars.
Adults wasps themselves feed on nectar.
I observed that the wasp occasionally push the larvae back into the cell with their legs.
I took this shot because it looked cute.
I am selecting this bum shot to enter Picture This Contest at Gardening Gone Wild.
I am selecting this bum shot to enter Picture This Contest at Gardening Gone Wild.
An adult admiring the baby.
(Just kidding.)
When a wasp from another nest flew over, they fought.
The adult wasps are very protective and one stared at me with a very stern face.
I thank them for not stinging me.
I guess they did not feel threatened.
I didn't think this was going to be so interesting but it was. The photos were great closeups to really see what was going on.
ReplyDeleteCher
Goldenray Yorkies
Now I know where the Alien Movie got their inspiration in some of the scene.
ReplyDeleteReally nice shots and I like the captions too. I agree with above, the title could have been a little catchier to get peoples attension because the post is really good.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting,we have very similar looking Potter Wasps who build nests with litle balls of clay!Great images!
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Our wasps paper houses are shaped differently than those. Brave of you to get so close! Thanks for the visit!
ReplyDeleteBraver than I am, you got very close. Our photos were taken, thru the window glass ;~)) And our nests are built in a cluster, like a flower head.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I have not been brave enough to get that close yet!
ReplyDeleteI love the last picture. It's brilliant! The wasps in our garden (a different kind) scratch at the fence to get wood to make their paper nests. You can hear the scatching as they scrape at the fence.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photographs!! I have learnt to love my wasps because they eat the nasties in my garden. I have lots of them (wasps & nasties :)
ReplyDeleteThe "very stern face" is hysterical. The larvae look like eyes peeking out. So fun.
ReplyDeletewow, I'm amazed at these photos! just spectacular. Thanks for the tour of a wasp home and all the info. This is just amazing. I too like the shot of his bum, a funny picture.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing photos. Wasps are interesting--at a distance. You are a brave one. cheers. ann
ReplyDeleteThe last photo is my favourite too, you can feel the tension between the two wasps.
ReplyDeletethose are amazing photos - not sure they are the same as our paper wasps here. we once got attacked by a whole swarm of them and they sting!.
ReplyDeleteThose are really incredible photos! So cool to see the nest and larvae!
ReplyDeleteYou do have a good day with the wasps.
ReplyDeleteWhat incredible photos! They give us a great view of what is going on....amazing!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the pictures and the captions - great job!
ReplyDeleteI was also amazed by your photos, which allow a really unique view of wasps. Last year, I helped introduce new bees into a top-bar hive, and it was scary! It's a shame that we're often so put off by these insects, because they are incredible once you get to know them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, One! Good thing they didn't sting you especially since one was intently looking at you. And very ailen looking too.
ReplyDeleteI'm always fascinated with the insects' ability to create such wonderful houses, with precise, clean lines and geometric shapes.
Those are amazing, amazing captures One! Especially the ones with the larvae? However did you get so close?
ReplyDelete♥Nice post.) Love your blog.))♥
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, nice blog entry. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have been sting by Wasp in my childhood! hahahha...
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! You must be very good observer!
I showed my hb your pics and i told him i wanna get a macro lens and shoot beautiful pics like you ;)
ReplyDeleteHow absolutely incredible these photos are! I have never seen this before - the larva in the little cells and the adult doing it's thing. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteThat FACE in the last shot is incredible. You are brave to have gotten so close to them. I am terribly allergic and would have been frightened.
ReplyDeleteFascinating post... wonderful photos of the wasp and nest with larvae...
ReplyDeleteWhat great photos here! Thanks for the information on my tardiness for entering the contest. I noted as well on my post and left an apology over at GGW..sigh
ReplyDeleteReally an interesting post and wonderful macros! It's like visiting a different world! The last photo is my favorite. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos! I always feel scared by wasps in my garden (bees don't phase me as much) though it's probably unfair. Still, I can admire their ability as architects.
ReplyDeleteThose are great captures of the wasp as work...I've never been brave enough to get so close. Your commentary was interesting too. Best of luck in the contest - that's a great shot!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the information about paper wasps, especially that they are very important in the garden. I wish people wouldn't just reach for the bug or bee killer every time they see a bug or bee/wasp they're afraid of.
ReplyDeleteWow, you certainly got some amazing shots there. Your entry for the contest is wonderful--the wings look like stained glass artwork. Beautiful.
Beautiful shots! I would have been a little nervous if other wasps were flying around too!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post because you explain so much about these interesting insects. The "bum shot' as you titled it is absolutely my favorite shot, just wonderful interesting angle and perspective, good luck in the competition.
ReplyDeleteSuperb! Gave me goosebumps (I have fear of them) but really great macros!
ReplyDeletegreat pics and interesting caption;)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea, I am surprised that you were brave enough to see it through. We also have a type of paper wasp, on polite days I call them blighter's. Amazing macro shots.
ReplyDeleteSincere congrats! Your photos of insects are always stunning!
ReplyDeleteWow -- these photos are truly amazing. I'm going to have to go through them again and again. I'm in awe not just of the adults, but of the larva in their cells, too.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the stern-faced one was actually thanking you for giving them houseroom? ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I take it paper wasps are not particularly aggressive, letting you get close enough to photograph them so well. Fascinating creatures, aren't they?
Very brave of you to take pictures at close range. Very well captured.
ReplyDeleteSimply sunning shots!!
ReplyDeleteGreat work!!
A really interesting post, thankyou.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Looks like you'll have a little swarm around there pretty soon.
ReplyDeleteI have loads of these wasps in my garden too. Love the way they bundle up pests as junior's tiffin box :)
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