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.”

Potter Wasp

A Fraternal Potter Wasp/Eumenes fraternus has captured a small caterpillar. She’s in the process of paralyzing it with her stinger. She’ll stuff it into the small mud pot nest she’s made for her young.

Last year, I observed the related Mediterranean Potter Wasp/Eumenes mediteraneus, recently introduced to our parts, build her nest.

mthew

2 responses to “Potter Wasp”

  1. Frank Devine

    Why, or how does the immobilizing substance injected into the caterpillar, not affect the newly born wasps?

    Reply
    1. mthew

      Great question. I don’t know, but would assume they’re immune to it?

      Reply

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