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Polistes (Polistella) humilis [Common Paper Wasp]


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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, Australia

24 December 2013

Australian Native Insect

 

Comment

Common 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.

post-28-0-61023800-1387940379.jpg

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.

post-28-0-47081300-1387940409.jpg

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

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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

 

post-14-0-47598800-1387985589.jpg

image reference: CHA_1070162_121015

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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 :lol:

Cheers,

Dave

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