Recent Polistes immigrant, in-flight
Great.
I thought I'd try photographing some insects that visit my yard. The first one I find is an INVASIVE SPECIES! That did explain why I could find no ID info in my guidebooks that are apparently not up-to-date.
This is the fast-spreading European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula), first reported in Massachusetts in the 1970s, and spread throughout the northeastern states by 2000 (according to Wikipedia). Now, in 2021, they are apparently in my yard.
European Paper Wasp on Red Hot Poker Plant, also known as Torch Lily (Kniphofia uraria).
Recent Polistes immigrant, in-flight
Great.
I thought I'd try photographing some insects that visit my yard. The first one I find is an INVASIVE SPECIES! That did explain why I could find no ID info in my guidebooks that are apparently not up-to-date.
This is the fast-spreading European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula), first reported in Massachusetts in the 1970s, and spread throughout the northeastern states by 2000 (according to Wikipedia). Now, in 2021, they are apparently in my yard.
European Paper Wasp on Red Hot Poker Plant, also known as Torch Lily (Kniphofia uraria).