I have wasps setting up home in the air brick under my living room window. I'm really torn about if I should call pest control or not. Generally they are not causing a problem for me anyway, they only come in the house when I'm up stupidly early and don't have the windows closed. Now a wasp has put me in hospital once before, so the sensible thing would be calling pest control, but the thought of them being killed makes me sad.
Saw this extremely convincing wasp-mimicking hoverfly, _Spilomyia_ (https://bugguide.net/node/view/3288), on the goldenrod in the garden today! Then on the way to the store saw plenty of the "model", _Ancistrocerus_ wasps (https://bugguide.net/node/view/6812), also on goldenrod.
#bugstodon #insects #wasps #flies #mimicry #Hymenoptera #Vespidae #Eumeninae #Diptera #Syrphidae #Eristalinae
Just sharing a post about a study, researching the life cycle of wasps and requiring your help to do so!
Ham or jam? Help scientists by recording wasp food preferences. The next time a wasp visits your picnic, make a note of whether it goes for protein or sugar, and help UCL scientists better understand the wasp life cycle..... https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/aug/ham-or-jam-help-scientists-recording-wasp-food-preferences
39K likes, 625 comments - pivotfarm on August 23, 2025: "I wish I knew this earlier!! Decided to try it since we strongly dislike having to spray wasp nests. Can’t believe it actually worked!!! Basically you hang a paper bag next to their nest, and they think it’s another nest and leave. So cool!!!! . #nontoxichome #farmhack #homehacks #tryit #househack #organicliving #nontoxicliving #waspnest #homestead".
I meant to post this earlier. The retired paperWasp friend is well. I find her adorable.
Look into my eye, let me mesmerize.
Geez, this is one rebel wasp. Solitary & out during extreme heat. Surprised this was in focus from the blustery gusts we've had. Always welcome to ^ biodiversity & help balance beetles #wasps
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