Is that marmalade? I’m coming in to land
I’m reading the newspaper, having finished breakfast when I get a buzzing in my ear. This opportunistic wasp has zipped into the conservatory and taken advantage of my slightly slapdash eating habits. I must have made his or her day.
Steady, steady, not too fast!
Oh, this is the life. I wonder if I can carry it home?
The life cycle of wasps is quite interesting. First the Queen builds the beginnings of a nest and lays eggs. Six weeks after the eggs are laid the first generation of worker wasps emerge. These will be both males and females, though the females will be unable to reproduce. During late summer, however, the eggs that are laid will produce fertile females. These will mate and will be the only wasps that hibernate over winter to be next year’s Queens. The old Queen and all the workers will die when winter approaches. The circle of life - a trite saying - but true in this particular case.
5 comments
It never ceases to surprise me that, no matter how annoying I find insects, I’m always delighted to see them in the garden.
Stealing marmalade from my plate, however, is another matter…
/krys
Here comes the old opportunist feasting on marmalade! Interesting to read about the wasps. I have one beehive and 2 small beehives of the native bee Trigona carbonara, it is tiny and does not sting; also builds its hive inside in a different way than the normal honey bee.
Well, I don’t blame the wasp for dining on your marmalade spillage — it’s a favorite of mine, too.
That’s a fantastic photo!
Krys - The wasp has been back but unfortunately I’d cleaned the plate.
Titania - Tiny bees that don’t sting, they sound ideal!
Nancy - I agree. I can’t do without my marmalade.
Chooks’r'us - Thanks.
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