The abdomen is noted by three thin stripes
The wasp pictured here is a pitted mason wasp. This is a solitary wasp that is found across the United States and southern Canada. It's most common east of the Great Plains. Within the Euodynerus genus, it is the most common species. The scientific name for the pitted mason wasp is Euodynerus foraminatus.
Adults of this species of wasp are black with yellow markings. The abdomen is noted by three thin stripes moving from the stinger forward, then a thick stripe that is similarly spaced as the three previous. Then there is a large gap before an extra wide yellow band close to the connection with the thorax. On the thorax, there are two yellow spots, one under each wing, and a yellow band that forms almost a flat smile across the shape of the thorax.
On males, the forewings are 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch. On females, they are 1/4 inch to 7/16 inches. These wings are a pale smoky brown and they contain purplish reflections. Their legs are black and yellow. The third segment of each leg is mostly black, with some yellow just at the tip and yellow on the outer half. The fourth segment of the leg is yellow.
This photo was taken on my birthday. Each year on my birthday, I try to get myself out into nature. Oftentimes, I'm down in Florida enjoying the coastal and underwater wildlife that exists there. Some years, I'm in Indiana where I'll often bring myself over to Eagle Creek Park to see what new nature awaits me.
This was from June of 2020. It was quite the fruitful hike as I've now used five photos from this day in Wild Boy's photography galleries throughout the years. Most of the photos were ones that came from slowing down and really trying to soak in as much nature as I could. I probably walked by this set of flowers hundreds of times in my life, but this time stood within them for 20-30 minutes appreciating all the pollinators that were coming through the area. Whether it was wasps, beetles, butterflies, bees, everyone seemed to be attracted to these flowers that open each year in the understory in a sunny gap in the canopy.
I probably walked by this set of flowers hundreds of times
Did you know?
- Pitted mason wasps have 13 segments for each of their antennae.
- The males are slightly smaller than the females.
- They maintain nests in borings such as wood, hollow twigs, and other cavities. They will store paralyzed moth caterpillars there for the young.
- One to two generations are born each year.
0 Comments