allysonf's Favourites

~9mm in length, antennae; pale ventral side. Did not know the males visited the nest, perhaps a new bee (son) not ready to leave yet. Appeared to be guarding the nest entrance from possible intruders including ants. Nest appeared to be communal, a female seen in the same nest here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/123152265

The common name can be misleading, as this animal is not an Ant, but the wingless female of a species of solitary parasitic Wasp. Its behaviour is unusual for Tiphiid, as it exclusively hunts Mole Crickets, as opposed to Beetle larvae.

I think an animal dug up the nest and spread it around on the ground. Several of the cells still had bees in them, so I moved them to a protected mossy spot in the hopes some were still viable. I believe they were close to emerging already, as you can see in the photos that the one I did observe emerging seemed to be well developed. I did see one fully emerged one crawling among them that looked pretty dry. It was still a bit slow though.

Experts - What is going on here? This male American Kestrel sure did seem to have the hots for this female Merlin. He kept trying to get close to her and even brought her a few treats (insects?) from the grass beneath the fence. She accepted the treats but didn't seem thrilled with the attention. However, when he flew off, she followed him...

Sphecidae (Thread-waisted Wasps)- Brown-legged Grass-carrier Wasp (Isodontia auripes) with a victim, believed to be of the Order Orthoptera- Crickets. It will serve as a larval food source in a large brood chamber normally containing several larvae. I have previously digitally documented a victim cricket being taken through the entrance.