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Happenings in the insect world
Comments:
by Fay
on June 21, 2018 at 4:38 AM
Another fascinating entry in the world of bugs! I learn something new when I read this blog and so it was today. And what really caught my attention was the paper wasps using paper money for their nests! Amazing!
by Maria Geyer
on June 21, 2018 at 7:38 AM
I really liked this article. I have a nest of European paper wasps in my vegetable garden in a broken gazing ball. They take good care of my tomato plants because they eat the hornworms. They are also good mannered. I never got stung. I am grateful that they come and visit me every year.
by allan jones
on June 21, 2018 at 12:31 PM
Hi Kathy,  
 
Nice blogpost. One thing that surprised me was Toth's comment that they defend with fury. I believe that Robbin Thorp (distinguished emeritus professor of entomology at UC Davis) said that they were particularly non-aggressive. When we were in West Pond, Davis,working the garden, one of the volunteers picked up a cobble from the drain area to put around a bed.  
 
On the underside of the stone was a European paper wasp's nest. She did not get stung, nor did I when I moved in to photograph the nest which was turned up into the sunlight. Many wasps would have made us pay dearly for intruding. I have a nice photo of the native wasp these guys have replaced. It is sad when non-natives upset the native ecosystem. Allan
by Rebecca Herold
on May 16, 2020 at 8:43 AM
I've had one of these in my home office all morning, happily exploring my lamp shade. I got very close several times to take a photo and check her out. Probably flew in through my open window this morning.  
 
While she seems to be an amicable office buddy, I would like to figure out a way to get her safely back outside. My open window is around 10' - 12' away.  
 
Suggestions?
by Islay T
on January 23, 2024 at 7:46 AM
Wasps are great! I loved reading about them here. However, the European paper wasp is invasive and takes away resources from native species! Do you know if other native paper wasps, like the Texas paper wasp or northern paper wasp also display this human-like social behavior, or is the European variety smarter than the others? There seem to be more studies online about the European wasp as I can't find much on the others. Thanks!
 
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