Catch of the Day: Gold-Marked Thread-Waisted Wasp

“Life is your art. An open, aware heart is your camera. A oneness with your world is your film.”
– Ansel Adams

Northampton, MA
August 2024

Many species of wasps, bees, flies and other winged creatures have been busy pollinating the abundant flowers where I am staying. The other day, I noticed that one of the tiny beasts on the spotted horsemint seemed to have an improbable 12 legs; I soon realized I was watching two wasps mating. After some research, they were identified it as a Gold-Marked Thread-Waisted Wasp couple (Eremnophila aureonotata.) This wasp is a little under an inch in length. I’m not very familiar with wasps so most species are new to me. (Aside from paper wasps and yellow jackets.)

The mating pair’s abdomens were locked together at the end as the bottom partner – the female – carried on with her usually business of collecting nectar, flying from blossom to blossom, with the slightly smaller male holding on tight by clamping down on her neck. Apparently the male can ride along like this for a long time.

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