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Activities around a Paper Wasp colony

on 23rd July 2016

PaperWasp-mealybug (?) - food

A active colony of Paper Wasp (Polistes sagittarius) was recently located inside a drainage hole of about 40 cm running through the retaining wall of my neighbour’s house (above). There were 3 nests inside. The deepest and oldest nest was about 10 cm from the entrance and usually not visible. The other two nests were by the entrance, with the more recent nest in front (see video below).

A number of wasps were always loitering around the opening, no doubt guarding the colony. At times one flew off or another flew in. And at regular intervals a wasp was seen emerging with a whitish morsel in its mouth to immediately gobble it up (see video above). At 2:15 min. of the video, a large, possibly inedible object was brought out by a wasp and flown away, most likely for disposal (see also screen-grab below). Obviously the wasps were also house cleaning.

PaperWasp-garbage

At 5:20 min. of the video a wasp was seen regurgitating a drop of liquid at the entrance, followed by two droplets between 5:45-5:50 min. (see also screen-grab below). According to Dr Leong Tzi Ming: “The regurgitation of the water droplets seems to be a conscious removal of water from within. There may have been some internal seepage due to the recent rains, so the wasps were keeping their home dry. Bees and wasps can be very particular about temperature and humidity of their homes.”

PaperWasp-liquid droplet

A few days after the video was completed, the owner of the house sprayed insecticide to chase away the wasps. After all, the wasps did sting a few inquisitive pedestrians who disturbed the colony.

YC Wee & Dr Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
16th July 2016

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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