Odd wasp behavior
I witnessed this odd wasp behavior today. Here is a Yellowjacket-type wasp (Vespula, Vespidae, Hymenoptera) curled up under a leaf of of Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia, Fagaceae). It's grasping some insect part - maybe the thorax of a bee? - turning it around and around. It reminded me of a wasp wrapping its prey. I watched it for a couple of minutes and took my eye off it for a moment to follow a different fly - and when I looked back, the wasp was gone. Most peculiar, I wonder what was going on? This isn't the best photo, but I wanted a record of what I saw. (San Marcos Pass, 12 October 2018)
Odd wasp behavior
I witnessed this odd wasp behavior today. Here is a Yellowjacket-type wasp (Vespula, Vespidae, Hymenoptera) curled up under a leaf of of Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia, Fagaceae). It's grasping some insect part - maybe the thorax of a bee? - turning it around and around. It reminded me of a wasp wrapping its prey. I watched it for a couple of minutes and took my eye off it for a moment to follow a different fly - and when I looked back, the wasp was gone. Most peculiar, I wonder what was going on? This isn't the best photo, but I wanted a record of what I saw. (San Marcos Pass, 12 October 2018)