Failed insect husbandry

Curious about the critter(s) inhabiting this very common gall on Quercus turbinella, I brought a half-dozen back from my most recent visit to Rackensack Canyon. I placed them in a pint canning jar and covered it with cheesecloth. Within a couple of days, this wasp emerged; it's identical to an individual I photographed in the field. The next day it was joined by this adult wasp (presumably - jointed antennae).

I intended to return them to Rackensack the next morning, but it turns out that a single layer of cheesecloth is not an impermeable barrier to these guys. They took it on the wing and they or their remains are somewhere here in the house.

Posted on 17 de agosto de 2019, 10:12 PM by stevejones stevejones

Observações

Fotos / Sons

Observador

stevejones

Data

Agosto 6, 2019 07:32 AM MST

Descrição

Host Quercus turbinella; extremely common in the canyon

Fotos / Sons

Observador

stevejones

Data

Agosto 6, 2019 09:33 AM MST

Fotos / Sons

Observador

stevejones

Data

Agosto 11, 2019 04:17 PM MST

Descrição

Emerged from the gall. Same species as in this observation.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

stevejones

Data

Agosto 11, 2019 04:21 PM MST

Descrição

Length 4-5 mm. Emerged from the gall.

Comentários

I couldn't help but laugh and think how much worse it could have been. I'm sure there are lots of entomologists with horror stories!

Excellent photos!

Publicado por ezpixels mais de 4 anos antes

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