DaveO Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Oldfield, D. 2013. Polistes (Polistella) humilis (Fabricius, 1781) (Vespidae) Common Paper Wasp. Wasp photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...mon-paper-wasp/Common Paper Wasp Maldon, Victoria, Australia24 December 2013Australian Native Insect CommentCommon paper wasps are social insects who build nests of grey papery material around the home often under eaves. Adult wasps feed on nectar and make ‘paper’ nests by mixing saliva and wood fibres. Nests are a nursery where larvae are kept one to each cell. The larvae are fed on chewed-up caterpillars caught by the adults. The cells are then capped and the larvae pupate. Visible Light: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Nikon Rayfact PF10545 MF-UV 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Metz 15 MS-1 flash, 1/180 s @ f/8 ISO 200, B+W UV/IR Cut Filter.Image Reference: DO51962 Ultraviolet Light: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Nikon Rayfact PF10545 MF-UV 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Nikon SB-14 flash, 1/180s @ f/8 ISO 200, Baader UV-Pass Filter.Image Reference: DO51981 References:www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Environment/Biodiversity/Common-Paper-Wasps.aspx http://bie.ala.org.a...stella)+humilis Published 25 December 2013 Link to comment
Nico Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Hi Dave, Thanks for sharing and good to see some more insect UV-captures here!Many insects appear to be UV-dark. Only the eggs in your picture show some reflection.European Polistes species are usually coloured yellow and black, with some orange on the antennae.I've taken many images in visible light but none in UV, yet. Below is one of Polistes dominula that is frequent around my house. Best,Nico image reference: CHA_1070162_121015 Link to comment
DaveO Posted December 25, 2013 Author Share Posted December 25, 2013 Hi Nico,According to the Australian museum website, the Asian paper wasp Polistes chinensis has been reported from Sydney, they look rather like yours. We also have the introduced European wasp but being brought up in England where similar ones were a problem I can recognise them and stay clear. If these little beasties are preying on caterpillars in my garden they can stay Cheers,Dave Link to comment
Andrea B. Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Cool capture, Dave. Link to comment
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