Hymenoptera Impressions, part II

Other obvious hymenopterans at our field site include the eusocial wasps of the family Vespidae. Sure, in the temperate regions we have our hornet nests and paper-wasp nests, but these types of wasps really become conspicuous in the tropics. There are just so many more elaborate mud and paper domiciles hanging about trees, bushes, and buildings built by a number of interesting genera that are sadly missing from higher latitudes. In fact on one cool day, when few insects were flying about, I took the opportunity to collect these nests and their occupants. The lower activity levels due to the cooler temperature made the whole endeavor a bit less risky. Indeed, 12 nests and about 2500 wasps later I was only attacked once! -Dan Bennett