Thu 15 Jul 2010
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 around and there’s a possibility I was nervous… Nah, I was fine. That’s just an excuse for poor photography!!
Hymenoptera: Vespidae
Vespa ducalis
(synonym = Vespa tropica pulchra)
hornet = hime-suzume-bachi
Location: Yokoyama Village near Munakata Common (Google map link)
Thu 17 Jun 2010
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 and place the paralyzed spider inside. It will lay one or more eggs and, after hatching, the wasp’s larvae will then feed on the spider.
It was difficult to get a photo because it wouldn’t keep still. Also, I didn’t want to disturb it too much because it would have dropped its prey and flown away.
It’s a pity that I can’t identify it at the moment. I’ll try again later.
Hymenoptera: Pompilidae (Spider Wasps)
Priocnemis species?
Spider Wasp = bekkou
Location: Munakata Common (map)
Mon 5 Apr 2010
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 JAnt: here
Hymenoptera: Formicidae
Camponotus hemichlaena
Carpenter Ant = Nishi-muneaka-oo-ari
Location: Fureai-no-mori near Munakata Common (map).
Mon 16 Jun 2008
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 femurs on its hind legs.
UK Natural History Museum fact sheet on this group: here.
Hymenoptera: Leucospididae
Leucospis japonica
= shiriage-kobachi
Location: In orchards and bamboo/pine forest above Yokoyama Village (Google map)
Tue 29 Apr 2008
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 diversus
Bumblebee = toramaru-hanabachi
Location: Near the lake above Yokoyama Village (Google map)
Sun 20 Apr 2008
Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae (common sawflies)
Tenthredo sp. (possibly Tenthredo mortivaga)
Location: Edge of mikan orange orchard near Munakata Common (map).
Sun 20 Apr 2008
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).
Sat 19 Apr 2008
These long-horned bees are very common – I’ve seen lots of them every time I’ve gone for a walk in the last week or so.
Hymenoptera: Apidae
Eucera nipponensis
(Syn. Tetralonia nipponensis)
Long-horned bee = nippon-higenaga-hanabachi
Location: Edge of field in Yokoyama Village (Google map)
Mon 3 Dec 2007
Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae
Athalia japonica (?)
Athalia Sawfly = nihon-kabura-habachi
Location: Path between woods and fields near Munakata Common (map)
Sun 23 Sep 2007
There are several species of hornet in Japan. This one is Vespa tropica pulchra (hime-suzume-bachi ) and it is said to be the least aggressive and least toxic of the hornets. It is easy to identify because, unlike other hornets, the last segment of the abdomen is black.
Japanese article here.
English article here.
Youtube video (in Japanese) about hunting hornets with a giant vacuum: here.
Hymenoptera: Vespidae
Vespa tropica pulchra
(synonym = Vespa ducalis)
hime-suzume-bachi
Location: path near Hyoutan Pond (map)