Failed insect husbandry

Curious about the critter(s) inhabiting this very common gall on Quercus turbinella, I brought a half-dozen back from my most recent visit to Rackensack Canyon. I placed them in a pint canning jar and covered it with cheesecloth. Within a couple of days, this wasp emerged; it's identical to an individual I photographed in the field. The next day it was joined by this adult wasp (presumably - jointed antennae).

I intended to return them to Rackensack the next morning, but it turns out that a single layer of cheesecloth is not an impermeable barrier to these guys. They took it on the wing and they or their remains are somewhere here in the house.

Publicado el agosto 17, 2019 10:12 TARDE por stevejones stevejones

Observaciones

Fotos / Sonidos

Observ.

stevejones

Fecha

Agosto 6, 2019 a las 07:32 MAÑANA MST

Descripción

Host Quercus turbinella; extremely common in the canyon

Fotos / Sonidos

Qué

Avispas Metálicas (Familia Torymidae)

Observ.

stevejones

Fecha

Agosto 6, 2019 a las 09:33 MAÑANA MST

Fotos / Sonidos

Qué

Avispas Metálicas (Familia Torymidae)

Observ.

stevejones

Fecha

Agosto 11, 2019 a las 04:17 TARDE MST

Descripción

Emerged from the gall. Same species as in this observation.

Fotos / Sonidos

Observ.

stevejones

Fecha

Agosto 11, 2019 a las 04:21 TARDE MST

Descripción

Length 4-5 mm. Emerged from the gall.

Comentarios

I couldn't help but laugh and think how much worse it could have been. I'm sure there are lots of entomologists with horror stories!

Excellent photos!

Publicado por ezpixels hace más de 4 años

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