Hanging around a wasp's nest....... (1 Viewer)

Y

Yaffle

Well-known member

• Sep 4, 2005

• #1

We have a wasp's nest under the tiles at the front of the house and for at least the last three weeks what looks like a couple of large hoverflies have been just hanging around near the entrance to the nest. They don't seem to bother the wasps and they don't bother them - I am curious to know what is going on!

Thanks for any more information,

Yaffle

 

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Last edited: Sep 4, 2005

harry eales

Ancient Entomologist

• Sep 4, 2005

• #2

Yaffle said:

We have a wasp's nest under the tiles at the front of the house and for at least the last three weeks what looks like a couple of large hoverflies have been just hanging around near the entrance to the nest. They don't seem to bother the wasps and they don't bother them - I am curious to know what is going on!

Thanks for any more information,

Yaffle

Click to expand...

Hello Yaffle,

It is somewhat difficult to say what they are doing, but both Social Wasps and Bumblebees do have other insects which either prey on the brood or other exist in other parts of the nest. But, without knowing the identity of the flies it is impossible to say that they are going to do. At this time of year wasp and Bumblebee colonies are in decline but some still have brood cells.

If you can catch one of the flies and have it positively identified that would give a big clue as to what they are up to.

Harry

 

matt green

Norfolkman gone walkabout

• Sep 5, 2005

• #3

beware!, i think wasps are particualy vindictive about this time of year.i'd give them a wide birth just to be safe.

oiwatheffyadooinintherebor [ancient norfolk dialect]

 

Brian Stone

A Stone chatting

• Sep 5, 2005

• #4

The flies look like Volucella zonaria and V. pellucens. Both species are scavengers and predators on social wasp nests so that explains what they are doing there. See http://www.hoverfly.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=45 and http://www.hoverfly.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=46

What's this about vindictive wasps? Rather anthropomorphic description.

 

Last edited: Sep 6, 2005

matt green

Norfolkman gone walkabout

• Sep 5, 2005

• #5

anthopomorphic, moi not i your lordship.ok,vindictive is proberbly bad judgement.i was merely suggesting that in my humble opinion wasps are more likely to sting folk defending there nests towards autumn months.

 

Brian Stone

A Stone chatting

• Sep 5, 2005

• #6

matt green said:

anthopomorphic, moi

Click to expand...

LOL! :'D

 

Y

Yaffle

Well-known member

• Sep 6, 2005

• #7

brianhstone said:

LOL! :'D

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Brian,

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

Peter