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| Northern Paper Wasp |
Common Boneset ~ Eupatorium perfoliatum
The
Common Boneset is a hive of activity right now. Wasps especially are attracted to the white flowers. I counted seven Northern Paper Wasps on one plant yesterday.
A brand new insect sighting this summer was this male Tiphiid Wasp (
Myzinum sp.). The male sports a fake or 'pseudo' stinger that looks very menacing. The larvae of this wasp are parasitoids of scarab beetle larvae (ex. June Beetles). (
BugGuide.net)
This Sand Wasp (
Bicyrtes sp.) is also most often spotted on Common Boneset. This wasp preys upon true bugs (ex. Shield Bugs).
The distinctively shaped Potter Wasp (
Eumenes sp.) also likes Common Boneset.
A Thread Waisted Wasp (
Isodontia sp.) that nests in hollow stems and hunts crickets and katydids. (
Insects of the North Woods)
Bald Faced Hornets (
Dolichovespula maculata) have been difficult to photograph due to their fast, erratic flight but are regularly visiting Boneset flowers. This photo was taken a couple of years ago.
Wasps play an important role in the wildlife garden, keeping populations of plant damaging insects down and providing a balanced food web.
Wasps are not aggressive when visiting flowers for nectar. Stop and take a closer look at them and appreciate their unique forms and colorations.
