Category Archives: Hymenoptera

Potter wasp = Oreumenes decoratus Japanese = suzu-bachi Hymenoptera > Vespidae August 2013 in Munakata (Fukuoka) near Koen-dori

I stood taking photos of these hornets for quite a while but I think I should have been able to take better shots than these. I’ll try again next time. I guess there were 7 or 8 of them flying … Continue reading →

This was a great find! It’s a small spider wasp (about 10mm) carrying a fairly big spider. The wasp seems to have bitten off the spider’s legs — presumably to make carrying it easier. The wasp will dig a hole … Continue reading →

The highlight of my day today was going for a walk through our local forest park (fureai-no-mori). I found several of these large (8mm) black and red carpenter ants feeding on the nectar of wild strawberry flowers. More information at … Continue reading →

I was so pleased with this find! It’s is a species of chalcid wasp that parasitizes the larvae of solitary bees. You can see the ovipositor held along its back. The other outstanding characteristic of this wasp is the large … Continue reading →

This huge bumblebee (toramaru-hanabachi) was flying around taking nectar and pollen from dead nettles. I’m very happy with the shot of the bumblebee in flight. Interesting site: UK Natural History Museum “Bombus Project” Bumblebees of the world Hymenoptera: Apidae Bombus … Continue reading →

Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae (common sawflies) Tenthredo sp. (possibly Tenthredo mortivaga) Location: Edge of mikan orange orchard near Munakata Common (map).

These ants were completely engrossed in feeding (?) on a camelia petal. They were tiny – around 2 or 3mm. I’ve not tried to identify them yet. Hymenoptera: Formicidae Location: Edge of mikan orange orchard near Munakata Common (map).

Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae Athalia japonica (?) Athalia Sawfly = nihon-kabura-habachi Location: Path between woods and fields near Munakata Common (map)