Brachygastra mellifica on fondant tray - Brachygastra mellifica

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… John S. Ascher, 14 February, 2019 - 7:25pm

Thank you!

… dvoribird, 14 February, 2019 - 8:51pm

Female

6 abdominal segments = ♀
Most of the other images (or all of them) are also females.

… Bob Biagi, 14 February, 2019 - 9:02pm

Thank you!

Bob, I think I messed up this one:
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1635694

and I'm not sure about this one:
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1635700

or
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1635701

Since I'm on the northern edge of the current range of the Brachygastra, I wanted to add some records, but I think I must be getting both species in my backyard.

… dvoribird, 14 February, 2019 - 9:11pm

Females

They all look OK. The first abdominal segment is very small. (doesn't even reach up to the first curve)

… Bob Biagi, 14 February, 2019 - 9:19pm

Ah, thank you!

I appreciate your help, Bob. At this point, Williamson County (north of Austin) seems to be as far north as these have been reported so far. They have been regulars in my backyard since November.
Dumb question, but are these guys thelytokous parthenogenetic?

edit: just read that they are arrhenotokous parthenogenetic: males, rather than females, develop from unfertilised eggs.

I have no idea what my wasps are surviving on. I don't know of any Diaphorina citri or citrus plants near me.

… dvoribird, 14 February, 2019 - 9:26pm