Abispa splendida foraging
These are gorgeous, large, native wasps. They are remarkable for their dynamic colours/markings and impressive size.
However, they are not known for being highly defensive and from what I am reading, rarely sting.
Commonly known here as velvety black and yellows, these solitary wasps build their mud nest under rocks or inside holes in trees. Larvae pupate within the mud nest.
Here we see one on native Grevillea. Knowing they build their nests out of mud, I wasn't sure if this wasp was foraging for the plant material - it did seem to be slicing it with its mandibles.
They do play an important role in keeping caterpillar numbers in check, perhaps it was searching for those.
Body length 25 mm.
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Abispa splendida foraging
These are gorgeous, large, native wasps. They are remarkable for their dynamic colours/markings and impressive size.
However, they are not known for being highly defensive and from what I am reading, rarely sting.
Commonly known here as velvety black and yellows, these solitary wasps build their mud nest under rocks or inside holes in trees. Larvae pupate within the mud nest.
Here we see one on native Grevillea. Knowing they build their nests out of mud, I wasn't sure if this wasp was foraging for the plant material - it did seem to be slicing it with its mandibles.
They do play an important role in keeping caterpillar numbers in check, perhaps it was searching for those.
Body length 25 mm.
© All rights reserved.