Wasp - Polistes - Konawa, Seminole County, Oklahoma, USA August 30, 2008 Size: 19mm (3/4")
This wasp was guarding a nest, which is up underneath the siding. I should have paid closer attention to her warnings but I didn't. When I came close (about five feet) to get a picture she would flutter her wings and I could tell I was bothering her. I took this picture and you can see that she is now fixated on me, was not fluttering her wings anymore, and stood without moving. So, me being the rocket scientist that I am (NOT!), decided to move a little left and take a closer shot. I didn't move much, maybe four or five inches. Immediately she dove straight at me and stung me in the chest. Then she flew back to her post to see if I would test her again, which I did not! It left a quarter size whelp on my chest which went away a couple of hours later. I am not at all allergic to bee, wasp, scorpion, or any other type of sting but today (09/01), two days later and my chest is still a little sore.
This was taken back home in Seminole County where I grew up, which is in the south-central part of the state. I had forgotten that the critters are considerably more aggressive there than up here in Sand Springs. I wonder why?
For obvious reasons this is the only pic I got of this wasp or the others.
Please help with ID if possible.
Contributed by Sam Houston on 1 September, 2008 - 9:25pm Last updated 7 February, 2009 - 6:58pm |