Interesting postures -- one apparently very passive, the other active. What are these wasps doing?
--Rik
Aussie Wasp
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I have noticed one wasp sometimes inspects another when it arrives back at the hive, occasionally aggression is apparent. Don't know why. Here's one gripping another by the wing.
Mark Nature's Place - Macro Illustrated
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With honey bees the guard bees check the scent of returning foragers. Ones not smelling right may be rejected and this can be a problem when some are contaminated with fresh pesticide. The behaviour in not very efficient and 'drifting' occurs, with foragers joining adjacent colonies, possibly taiking diseases or parasites with them. It is mainly a behaviour to prevent robbing, when hundreds of bees from a strong colony may enter a weak one and take away their stored honey.MarkB1 wrote:I have noticed one wasp sometimes inspects another when it arrives back at the hive, occasionally aggression is apparent.
Harold
My images are a medium for sharing some of my experiences: they are not me.
Thanks John. There was some very aggressive policing of this nest with workers taking a submissive attitude, reminds me of those human creatures.Dalantech wrote:Well done Mark! Love the light and the composition here!
I know that sometimes insects will inspect each other for parasites, but I'm not sure if that's what's happening in your image of one wasp holding the other.
Mark Nature's Place - Macro Illustrated