My contribution to Michelle's
Nature Notes (#400).
Last post,
I misidentified a wasp I found on the W. and O.D. trail as a
Great Golden Digger Wasp. (Thanks to
Phil for the heads-up!)
I guessed it was a Great Golden Digger Wasp because of similar shape, coloration, and location (this one was just a hundred feet down the trail from the ones I photographed in October). Also, it was doing what I expected a GGDW would do when it wasn't visiting goldenrod flowers: rummaging around in the trail dust. (In fact, I think it had located some hapless bug).
However, the head shape is quite different (and is all black) and the legs are black instead of orange:
Searching around google images, I found that there is a species of
Thread-waisted Wasp called Ammophila procera that is a possibility. "This is the largest species in the eastern U.S. to sport the silver stripes on the side of the thorax, a hallmark of most members of the genus."
You can see silver stripes on the thorax under the right wings. (and it was quite large, at least length-wise...maybe not 2 inches, but close.)
I'm also linking to Carmi's Thematic Photographic 389 -
Drink up. The birds enjoy their frisbee bird bath in the backyard every day:
But sometimes it is mysteriously emptied. Hmmm?
Another mystery solved!
Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
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