23.4.11

Paper Wasp's Nursery


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.


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.

Camera Critters

MM3

46 comments:

  1. 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.
    Cher
    Goldenray Yorkies

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now I know where the Alien Movie got their inspiration in some of the scene.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Really 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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. How interesting,we have very similar looking Potter Wasps who build nests with litle balls of clay!Great images!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fascinating! Our wasps paper houses are shaped differently than those. Brave of you to get so close! Thanks for the visit!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Braver 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.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great job! I have not been brave enough to get that close yet!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Amazing photographs!! I have learnt to love my wasps because they eat the nasties in my garden. I have lots of them (wasps & nasties :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. The "very stern face" is hysterical. The larvae look like eyes peeking out. So fun.

    ReplyDelete
  11. wow, 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.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Absolutely amazing photos. Wasps are interesting--at a distance. You are a brave one. cheers. ann

    ReplyDelete
  13. The last photo is my favourite too, you can feel the tension between the two wasps.

    ReplyDelete
  14. those 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!.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Those are really incredible photos! So cool to see the nest and larvae!

    ReplyDelete
  16. You do have a good day with the wasps.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What incredible photos! They give us a great view of what is going on....amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Enjoyed the pictures and the captions - great job!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful pictures, One! Good thing they didn't sting you especially since one was intently looking at you. And very ailen looking too.

    I'm always fascinated with the insects' ability to create such wonderful houses, with precise, clean lines and geometric shapes.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Those are amazing, amazing captures One! Especially the ones with the larvae? However did you get so close?

    ReplyDelete
  22. ♥Nice post.) Love your blog.))♥

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great photos, nice blog entry. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have been sting by Wasp in my childhood! hahahha...
    Great photos! You must be very good observer!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I showed my hb your pics and i told him i wanna get a macro lens and shoot beautiful pics like you ;)

    ReplyDelete
  26. How 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!

    ReplyDelete
  27. That 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.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Fascinating post... wonderful photos of the wasp and nest with larvae...

    ReplyDelete
  29. What 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

    ReplyDelete
  30. Really an interesting post and wonderful macros! It's like visiting a different world! The last photo is my favorite. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Fantastic 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.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Those 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!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank 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.

    Wow, you certainly got some amazing shots there. Your entry for the contest is wonderful--the wings look like stained glass artwork. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Beautiful shots! I would have been a little nervous if other wasps were flying around too!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Wonderful 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.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Superb! Gave me goosebumps (I have fear of them) but really great macros!

    ReplyDelete
  37. great pics and interesting caption;)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Brilliant 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.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Sincere congrats! Your photos of insects are always stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wow -- 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.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Perhaps the stern-faced one was actually thanking you for giving them houseroom? ;)

    Great 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?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Very brave of you to take pictures at close range. Very well captured.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Simply sunning shots!!
    Great work!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. A really interesting post, thankyou.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Great photos! Looks like you'll have a little swarm around there pretty soon.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I have loads of these wasps in my garden too. Love the way they bundle up pests as junior's tiffin box :)

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails