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HomeSafeHome:  Golden Digger Wasps  |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 01 2020 : 6:45:58 PM
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Maryjane,,,
just for you.. these guys have been hanging out in my garden and I welcome them to stay as long as they like!
About:
The Great Golden Digger Wasp sends its share of terrified gardeners running for a weapon. Little do they know that it is a peaceful insect and a beneficial predator of garden pests. They have an amazing life, and should be welcomed to your flowers.
Great Golden Digger Wasps are found throughout North America, Mexico, Central and South America, and even the Caribbean. They are quite identifiable by their bright orange bodies, black tipped abdomen, and the golden hairs covering the thorax. As long as sandy clay soil, a nectar source, and a population of long-horned grasshopper species are available, they can be found in rural areas and urban lots.
Sphex ichneumonus is a very large and intimidating member of the wasp family. They live solitary lives, and do not defend territory or nests like their paper wasp cousins do. The adults feed on nectar from flowers, and rarely notice any other creatures, except to beat a hasty retreat when something larger approaches. Sometimes a group of these wasps can be observed flying close to the ground. They may have found a suitable area to dig nests, or a concentration of prey insects may live there. They are not part of an organized colony, simply individuals that prefer the same habitat.
I have some photos of the ones in my garden,, I need to find, so I can post a pic.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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suny58
True Blue Farmgirl
4407 Posts
Dianna
Jack
Al.
USA
4407 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2020 : 06:10:41 AM
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This might be for MaryJane Grace but I loved this! I have them here! I wondered what they were! I dont kill any wasps as most seem to be pollinators as well as many other types of insects I've observed in my garden. Thank you for posting. I was blessed by this!
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
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HollerGirl56
True Blue Farmgirl
1334 Posts
Barbara
Flat Top
WV
USA
1334 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2020 : 1:49:06 PM
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I am sticking my big nose in too Grace. I don't think I have ever seen these---but hubby thinks he has. I am not afraid of bees----except yellow jackets and hornets. I just go out to the hummingbird feeders and knock the bees off. These are beautiful bees---I will look for them next summer. We saw so few bees here this year that it was scary. This is a beautiful bee. I have found that if you are still most bees won't bother you. Our worst bee experience this year was a hornet nest that fell in the road and it stung our dog and we didn't know what was wrong and then I went over it and a few stung me. We went and got the car and ran it over a few times. Such fun to murder them---LOL.
Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
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isewbernina
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Kathy
Salina
KS
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2020 : 6:06:06 PM
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Almost all bees, wasps and flying beasties love a puddle to soak up a cool drink. If you will find a shady spot in your garden and make a shallow dip, line it with pea gravel, a tad pit of quick mix concrete and keep it watered you will provide nature's pollinators with much-needed fluids. Kathy
Family is
GOD's
Greatest Masterpiece |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2020 : 9:26:12 PM
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Kathy, good tip...
I do leave a shallow pan filled with water for the butterflies and I leave a large basin filled with fresh water out by the garden (outside the fence)for the dear and birds. I do have to clean that at least every other day because the birds phoo sometimes in the water...
But I like your gravel idea...
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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HomeSafeHome: Golden Digger Wasps |
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Golden Digger Wasps
