Wasp Experiment - Ancistrocerus capra

This is great!

I should get hold of some tubes like this; I have wanted to see food supply and the development of larvae and pupae in my bee houses and wasp nests.
I hope that you keep taking pictures and letting us know what else happens. Is that an egg that I see among the caterpillars? Do they build a row of cells? I guess so.
What is the diameter of the tubes? I have had several different species of bees and wasps occupying tubes, depending partly in size.

… Beatriz Moisset, 2 June, 2010 - 7:34am

The tubes are 70 mm long, the

The tubes are 70 mm long, the opening is 10 mm and they narrow to 8 mm at the closed end. She sometimes makes multiple cells and sometimes not. The larve are like a fleshy pink color (goes to take a photo) Each cell seems to have the same number of caterpillars in it (they can count ^__^ ) I see that not all the larvae have not survived. I assume that's normal.

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 2 June, 2010 - 10:47am

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 1 June, 2010 - 10:47am

Ancistrocerus antilope - female

I can only second the enthusiastic comments below. The ecological impact of such a paralyzing hunter can now be visualized directly.

… Richard Vernier, 1 June, 2010 - 9:39am

Fascinating!

Great shots

… Vespula Vulgaris, 30 May, 2010 - 8:53pm

I agree

& good idea.

… Lynette Elliott, 30 May, 2010 - 8:55pm

I saw a similar idea on bug g

I saw a similar idea on bug guide I think. We did our own version.
I'm surprised it worked.

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 31 May, 2010 - 4:50pm

Very cool!

What are you using for the cells? I think I might try this.

… George Waldren, 31 May, 2010 - 2:39pm

Small plastic vials (cuvettes

Small plastic vials (cuvettes)-with the outer end painted black.
My hubby has boxes of them-some place he worked was throwing them away-he said he'll send you some. ^__^ He made the cantraption for me.

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 31 May, 2010 - 4:55pm