Woodworking Wasp

24 Sept 2011 Update
This wasp is actually called a Lesser Banded Hornet 
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Normally I spot the orange wasp drinking nectar.

Today I found one working hard on a wooden cable drum.
It appeared to be doing some woodworking.
I'll call this a Woodworking Wasp.

This wasp is scraping wood with its strong jaws.

The wasp rolled the wood pieces it scraped into a ball, sticking them together with saliva.

After quite a few minutes of scraping, it eventually flew away with its precious wooden ball.

The wasp flew around Pichu for a while, probably looking for an ideal spot to build its nest.

Pichu found that to be humorous.

Silly little wasp.

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Macro Monday
I Heart Macro
Creative Exchange
Sweet Shot Tuesday

Bottlebrush Flowers

Callistemon are referred to as Bottlebrush flowers since they resemble bottlebrushes.

This particular bottlebrush tree is attracting many wasps.

The wasp appears to be cleaning up the bristles...

It must be tough cleaning up the bristles. Some areas are very hard to reach.

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Live Every Moment - Bokeh (first photo)
Fabulous Friday (second photo)
Better than Best (third photo)
Macro Friday

A Wasp's Meal Interfered by an Ant

Below is a series of photos of a wasp having a meal.

Note that the wasp is on the underside of a hibiscus leaf.

A black ant is approaching the scene bravely.
Why?

What is the black ant thinking?

Trying to be a hero?

 Or could it be waiting for some leftover?

The wasp flew off with its meal.

I have seen a black ant protecting the mealy bugs by attacking the dragonflies.

Each time a dragonfly rest on the twig where the mealy bugs are, the ant would chase it away.

This is because ants farm mealy bugs for their secretions.

They may be small but fierce.

Any idea why the black ant approached the wasp that was having a meal?

I want to take this opportunity to wish Bom of Plant Chaser a Happy Belated Birthday and also Happy 1st Blogiversary!

Bom has requested that a post be prepared for this auspicious day.

The post must feature a genus that is listed on his site.

Little would he expect me to post on what I see underside the Hibiscus leaf.

I hope Bom like surprises!

Happy Birthday!

The red  hibiscus flower above is for you!

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Fabulous Friday

Camera Critters