Identified thanks to User:Dyanega
edit
A second view of the same wasp
This wasp was apparently laying eggs in the bark of this dead tree. Ironically the hollow inside was occupied by another hymenopteran - a colony of honeybees. Pollinator 02:23, 28 May 2006 (UTC)
- The "wasp" is the common Stratiomyid fly Hermetia illucens - it is common because its larvae live in compost heaps. It is also, however, an occasional pest of honeybee colonies (as I recall, a colony has to be on the weak side in order for these larvae to become a real problem). Dyanega 22:22, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
- Wow. That explains why I could not relate it to any wasp I've ever seen. But it seemed to be probing the bark of the tree with its abdomen, as if laying eggs? Does it also grow larvae in bark. It was a dead tree, but dry not damp as compost would be.Pollinator 02:23, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
- It probably was laying eggs, and the larvae would have worked their way from there into the bee nest.Dyanega 20:54, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
- Wow. That explains why I could not relate it to any wasp I've ever seen. But it seemed to be probing the bark of the tree with its abdomen, as if laying eggs? Does it also grow larvae in bark. It was a dead tree, but dry not damp as compost would be.Pollinator 02:23, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
An unidentified beetle on blooming parsley
- The beetle is an Oedemerid, though it's a little small relative to the size of the picture. If you could crop it, it might be okay. Dyanega 22:22, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
- I will try to reshoot the beetle with another camera which has more capacity for really close macros. Grains of pollen were clearly visible on it.
Hi again. I've taken several of this batch and put them to use. I'll give you captions with IDs. The Bombus fraternus is a rarely-seen bee.
Pollinator 22:40, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
Hawk moth foraging ornamental holly
- The "hawk moth" is not - it is the Squash Vine Borer, Melittia cucurbitae (family Sesiidae). Both of these insects need their own pages at some point. Dyanega 22:22, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
- Again, it was not like anything I've ever noticed before. If I've seen one of the squash borer adults, I don't remember it, though I've battled the borers many times. At least I had it as a lep.)Pollinator 02:23, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
