The Paper Wasp, of the vespid subfamily Polistinae, is one of twenty-two species found in North America and approximately 300 species worldwide. Paper wasps have long, slender bodies with distinct, yellow markings on their head, thorax, and abdomen against a dark brown or black body. Paper wasps are one of two types of social wasps. […]
A New Wasp Species at Bernheim (and yes, we're excited about it)
We are thrilled that we just found a wasp species that has never been recorded at Bernheim Forest – the Megarhyssa atrata. It is a common parasitic species that is found in deciduous forests. They require a host for their larvae to make it to adulthood. The female giant ichneumon wasp has one of the […]
The Bugs of Bernheim: Cicada Killers
Cicada Killers: who’s listening? On hot summer days, the air is filled with the sound of cicadas. The male’s mating call is a loud series of beats and clicks strung together to make one long, continuous undulating song. While preoccupied with finding love, the cicada has inadvertently captured the attention of another female insect who […]