Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

The Business End

Eastern Cicada-killer Wasps (Sphecius speciosus) mating.The larger female is holding onto the leaf, the smaller male dangling.
Obviously a strong bond.
A different kind of wasp entirely, but note that back end…
This is a Five-banded Thynnid Wasp (Myzinum quinquecinctum). But, because this is a male, this isn’t a stinger. Stingers in the Hymenoptera are modified ovipositors: only females can sting. On the male, this is described as a pseudostinger.

mthew

One response to “The Business End”

  1. Chuck McAlexander

    Pseudo stinger or not, I’ll observe from a bit of a distance

    Reply

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