Wasp Nest

superb shot,excellent work.

roy

This is the nest of a single Paper Wasp (Polistes gallicus). I'm not certain how the nest would develop but I'm guessing that as the larvae hatch and become winged adults, they assist in the nests development.

Most of the nests of this type that I have seen are not much larger than this but I have seen them up to about the size of a small plate with many adults visiting with nest material (wood pulp) and food.

I have a healthy respect for these creatures and I don't mess with them when the adult wasps are about. Safe enough when there is only one adult, just work out the shot, wait for the adult to depart, then in true SAS style, get in, get the job done, and get out.

This is an image of the adult wasp during the nest's construction. This wasp can be recognised by the absence of hair on its abdomen.




Gear used: K20D, Sigma 180mm Macro EX DG, hand held.
Software Used: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.7

wow nice ..at least the 180 macro gives you some distance from the wasp

roy

Lovely detailed shot.

It's got it's eye on you though - how close was this?

We have native paper wasps here Peter, they attach their nests in much the same way as can be seen behind this wasp's abdomen.

I was about 30cm away I guess and yes, it was watching me but it seemed comfortable at the distance I was at.