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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps » Ants, Stinging Wasps, and Hornets (Vespoidea) » Yellowjackets, Paper Wasps, and Hornets; Potter, Mason and Pollen Wasps (Vespidae) » Potter and Mason Wasps (Eumeninae) » Monobia » Mason Wasp (Monobia quadridens)
Photo#32655
Wasps - Monobia quadridens - male - female
Copyright © 2005 Chris Wirth

Wasps - Monobia quadridens - Male Female
Powhatan County, Virginia, USA
September 23, 2005
I thought these wasps were mating but then I found the larger one dead on a leaf on
its side (See other photo)
Does any know if these two wasps were mating or if they were fighting?

Images of this individual: tag all
Wasps - Monobia quadridens - male - female Wasps - Monobia quadridens
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Contributed by Chris Wirth on 24 September, 2005 - 6:45pm
Last updated 11 August, 2008 - 1:43pm

M. quadridens
Moved from Monobia.
… George Waldren, 11 August, 2008 - 1:43pm login or register to post comments

Male trying to mate - unsuccessfully
In such circumstances, the male's insistence, despite the female's refusal, can easily be mistaken for a fight. Obviously, it was too late for him - since the female probably mates only once, as in most Eumenine genera.
Did you make sure that the dead - or dying - female specimen is the same as on the left picture? Anyway, the season seems to be ending now for the Mason Wasp.
… Richard Vernier, 25 September, 2005 - 11:40am login or register to post comments

 
Female specimen
I watched the whole thing and I saw the two blunder into the bush and only one came out. So I am sure that the dead female specimen is the same as on the other picture. Thanks for your help!
… Chris Wirth, 25 September, 2005 - 11:51am login or register to post comments

 
Very interesting
That such "forward" males could haste the end of an aging female is quite new for me. But there seems to be no other explanation!
… Richard Vernier, 25 September, 2005 - 12:37pm login or register to post comments

Mason Wasp
It looks just like this Mason Wasp (Monobia quadridens)
… tom murray, 24 September, 2005 - 7:23pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks
Thanks for your help!
… Chris Wirth, 24 September, 2005 - 7:31pm login or register to post comments

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