Great Black Wasp by Chipka
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Description
As I found myself in the company of a single Great Black Wasp—the exact opposite of a Great White Shark I suppose—I felt calm and at peace. Funny how stinging things relax me. There were no yellow jackets around; they were probably off stealing sweet things and meat off of picnic tables. That’s their favorite pastime, you know: they’re consummate raiders and thieves; they don’t rape and pillage so much as just…well…steal anything edible in sight. Or commit mayhem in the insect world when they’ve got larvae to feed.
Great Black Wasps, on the other hand, are quite content to just be left alone. When you’re in their company, they’re content to…well…ignore you…even as you coax one, another, or another onto your finger. The only reaction I’ve ever gotten from a Great Black on my finger was a moment of grooming. This wasp was no exception. I tried (and tried) to get it into the most favorable photographic positions, and well…that took a bit of manual handling, and all that really happened was…well…nothing. I’d coaxed the little critter onto my finger to try and grab a size-comparison shot, and after a few seconds of cleaning it’s left center leg (quite a contortionist’s feat) the wasp in question simply flew back to the blossom I’d removed it from. It’s rather unfortunate that none of the leg-cleaning shots came out, but oh—what a sight! I had no idea something so large could bend so effortlessly. That long, skinny waist is oddly flexible…well…actually it’s not but it is probably attached to an interesting and exquisitely complex rotator cuff. (That’s the thing about insects…they’re so complicated!)
I spent a good twenty minutes with this wasp, before boredom impelled it to seek nectar in a more interesting area. I also learned just how hard it is to catch “small” things using a macro setting. The smallest gestures translate into blurs, and well…this wasp wasn’t one for small gestures. It was a vigorous feeder, and the concept of “standing still” didn’t seem to be in its conceptual vocabulary. Oh well…at least a got a few good shots
As stated in my earlier post “Foraging,” great black wasps are the largest wasps on the North American continent. They’re like Sikorsky gunships with legs. They’re solitary, digger-wasps and so you don’t get to see any intriguing paper architecture or oddly fluted pottery stuck under eaves and gutters. As expected, they’re rather heavy—or at least you notice them when they’re walking on you and balanced precariously on five legs while cleaning the sixth. They’re friendly enough, unless you scare them. I don’t think they get annoyed…they’re far too mellow for that. Yellowjackets are the same way: human fear responses are indistinguishable from aggression, which, of course, causes aggression in them. Yellowjackets (unlike their gentler, great black cousins) are easily stirred to aggression (mob mentality, I think) though I’ve heard that Great Black stings are the most painful. It stands to reason, they’re BIG creatures by bug standards, so their stingers must be equally impressive. The wasp in this image wasn’t interested in doing much more than…well…eating and ignoring me.
In “Foraging” I used a flash to capture this wasp’s color and details. In this image, I resorted to ambient light. The difference in color is radical, but acceptable I think. And for those interested in comparison, feel free to click here.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting…and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (23)
NefariousDrO
Another lovely shot of a very intriguing critter. I think I'm really enjoying not only your wonderful shots of these bizarre things we generally overlook, but even more than that I enjoy your thoughts and ideas about them. You truly see these things in a way most of us would never even consider, and then you make us see, if only for a moment, this fascinating other world through your eyes and then the world will never be the same for us again.
RickGot
Beautiful capture of one of these fascinating creatures. I like the hint of blue irridescance in it's wings.
-seek-
too cool!
myrrhluz
That one leg seems to go on forever. Rod Stewart could rhapsodize over that. 'It had legs right up to its mesosoma.' Perhaps not. I enjoyed your narrative. I like the fact that it was the wasp, that became bored and went to seek more interesting sights. I'd like to see you coax one onto your finger and the bit of grooming. I had a cat once, that if you held her tail up to her face, she wouldn't get mad. She would just give you a quick look of thanks and start grooming and chewing at it. See how I slide over to talking about cats. It's a bad habit of mine, but there is sort of a point. You mentioned in a comment liking lanky cats. She was solid dark brown, lanky and beautiful. In its own way, this giant black wasp is similar. Now I am a very long way from viewing it with the same affection I have for lean, lanky, short haired cats, but it's a start. Excellent image and narrative!
Sea_Dog
Amazing work. I don't think I've ever seen or heard of this specie. He looks so foreboding I can't imagine having him perch on a finger.
MrsRatbag
Really fine capture of what appears to be a prehistoric monster; how big would this be, in actuality? It looks massive! You're much braver than I would ever be, if I had one on me by some mistake I'd panic! I love how affectionate you are toward these insects; that's probably why they're so accepting of you!
blinkings
OK now I have officially seen a Great Black Wasp I can tell you I would rather come up against it than the Great White Shark! I know the Great White and this flying devil has nothing on him!!!!!!! Very cool photo my friend.
Roxam
amazing clarity and detail-- even in the smaller image, yet very much worth the click to see this image full size
mariogiannecchini
Excellent image and narrative!
beachzz
I love the friendly way you show this guy--most people would run from it, swat it, smash it against whatever was handy. But you take the time to get to know him, and he rewards you with this wonderful shot. AND, I learn even more about the Great Black Wasp.
durleybeachbum
IT is a most elegant and attractive being, in the way that only efficient organisms can be. 'Form and Function'. Thankyou for all that detail in your narrative: let us hope that some people after reading this will give up flapping and screaming at the first sight of an insect and look more closely!
qrud
Exclusively exciting work.
Meisiekind
Great detail on this critter Chip and a most amazing image my friend! Bravo!
dakotabluemoon
Totally beautiful work really awesome.
helanker
Awesome shot, Chip and now I see on the leaves to the plant, I was right. its an orpine. Not always fun to be ignored, is it? :)
belasebok
Excellent macro!
flora-crassella
a wonderful wasp!!! Great picture!!!!!
dadon72
So alien looking. Yes, insects never cooperate do they. Better to be ignored than stung I think! Excellent POV. You've really captured it's work ethic here. Nicely done!
mbz2662
yes it is difficult to get those macro shots when you subject moves ;) Good shot of this fellow.
0rest4wicked
Even the slightest breeze challenges the macro enthusiast. It is not as easy as one might think. Great shot of this anti-social pollinator.
danapommet
Super macro Chip. Wonderful narrative. Keep learning new things at RR. Dana
auntietk
I love this hanging-from-the-ceiling thing. Excellent capture! I love the black and pink together.
kgb224
Outstanding capture my friend. I think any wasp sting is painful. The fact that they can sting over and over etc makes it worse.