Gold-Marked Thread-Waisted Wasp - Eremnophila aureonotataHow fleeting this insect is: 2 pictures in
Gold-Marked Thread-Waisted Wasp - Eremnophila aureonotataHow fleeting this insect is: 2 pictures in and it buzzes away in search of more flowers away from prying eyes. Though Wasps have earned a reputation from their defensive stings, a good chunk of them are skittish and will avoid conflict if they are. Of course, these Wasps have nests too and will defend them if something gets too close, but out in the open where roses and oregano meet, retreat is a perfectly valid option. It’s a very elegant creature, this specimen. I originally thought it may be a Grass-Carrying Wasp, but with a waist as long as that, I immediately reconsidered. As the common name suggests, this is a Thread-Waisted Wasp and can angle that abdomen to more effectively sting its prey of choice for its young. Reports suggest that this specie prefers large Caterpillars as provisions. With gripping jaws and stretched out legs, carrying the haul comes easily, but my goodness me, its almost as if the body and legs have been stretched out to parody! This isn’t just unique to Wasps as there are many unique insects that have earned popularity with elongated necks, bodies and even wings! It’s a strange bug world out there, and exploring it is a joy.Though I was only able to grab 2 pictures of this fine specimen, I was lucky as I was able to snag a picture of the insect’s side which reveals a set of markings to distinguish it from similar Wasps. These white patches can have a slightly golden appearance to them (if external pictures are to be believed), giving this insect the first part of its name. As if patches on the side of the thorax weren’t enough, there’s a similarly colored pattern that extends across the Wasp’s face too! Hopefully I can get a better angle in the future as you can barely see it when the Wasp tucks into the flowers to gather nectar. With a constricted waist like that, liquid intake is all they can eat, but it’s more than enough to fuel them for the day. The only thing left to say is that I’m unsure whether this specimen is a male or a female. Without a stinger to readily see, you can turn to checking the presence of hairs on their face. I can’t make a conclusion today, I’ll need more pictures and apparently this insect is common around Ontario. Hope to find more to share.Pictures were taken on August 8, 2020 with a Google Pixel 4. -- source link
#ontario insect#hymenoptera#toronto#august 2020