17 replies to this topic

[KitsAntVa]

These are the only type of wasps I find fascinating, that I want to keep. I would like to know general care for them as well as how to find them. I feel they would be pretty common in my yard as tons of caterpillars every year come, did I say tons? I meant I catch I "catch" around 300 a month if I want to. I know they eat and lay eggs in and on other thing such as roaches. There is this one that is a beautiful color I believe it may have been a parasitoid going up a tree about a month ago. The color was shiny blue and shiny red and had the body figure of one.

[Swirlysnowflake]

These are the only type of wasps I find fascinating, that I want to keep. I would like to know general care for them as well as how to find them. I feel they would be pretty common in my yard as tons of caterpillars every year come, did I say tons? I meant I catch I "catch" around 300 a month if I want to. I know they eat and lay eggs in and on other thing such as roaches. There is this one that is a beautiful color I believe it may have been a parasitoid going up a tree about a month ago. The color was shiny blue and shiny red and had the body figure of one.

I don't know much about these wasps, but XxMochiixX from Arachnoboards seems to have experience breeding and keeping them. You might want to contact her, or look at her posts about them.

[KitsAntVa]

 

These are the only type of wasps I find fascinating, that I want to keep. I would like to know general care for them as well as how to find them. I feel they would be pretty common in my yard as tons of caterpillars every year come, did I say tons? I meant I catch I "catch" around 300 a month if I want to. I know they eat and lay eggs in and on other thing such as roaches. There is this one that is a beautiful color I believe it may have been a parasitoid going up a tree about a month ago. The color was shiny blue and shiny red and had the body figure of one.

I don't know much about these wasps, but XxMochiixX from Arachnoboards seems to have experience breeding and keeping them. You might want to contact her, or look at her posts about them.

 

Thanks, Ill check it out.

[KitsAntVa]

Thank you, also.

[antsandmore]

parasitic have amazing metallic(?) coloration, but I think they just become adults, lay eggs, and die? that's the only part about their life cycle I know about. I'm not sure what else they do lol

[Swirlysnowflake]

parasitic have amazing metallic(?) coloration, but I think they just become adults, lay eggs, and die? that's the only part about their life cycle I know about. I'm not sure what else they do lol

Pretty much lol. 

[KitsAntVa]

Yes you are right they hunt and lay eggs and die. but the queens themself hunt and in a different way than other wasps, then they go into their cave and lay an egg on their victim. 

[Swirlysnowflake]

Yes you are right they hunt and lay eggs and die. but the queens themself hunt and in a different way than other wasps, then they go into their cave and lay an egg on their victim. 

They also look really cool. You should try breeding Cicada killers KitsAnts. Amazing sp, I wish they were native to CA but no

[KitsAntVa]

I could probably find those, there are cicadas in my backyard during the summer.

[ANTdrew]

Fill your yard with native plants that feed their host insects. Enjoy them thriving in their native habitat.

[antsandmore]

Fill your yard with native plants that feed their host insects. Enjoy them thriving in their native habitat.

to think that I do have some native plants but its just a very small amount because we did turf in our backyard  

[ANTdrew]

Go bit by bit removing turf and adding more diverse beds of native plants. If you plant it, they will come.

[antsandmore]

oof. I wish, but that will cost a lot. Also, that's kind of my parents decision. but, I'll still try in some way.

[KitsAntVa]

I talked to Ziess about this and he said a lot of useful things, egg cards were one of them or finding a host such as everyday insects that are easy to find. Caterpillars will be my number one option since next year I can catch tons of them.

[Scherme]

Fill your yard with native plants that feed their host insects. Enjoy them thriving in their native habitat.

This should just be in your signature somewhere by now lol 

"Fill your yard with native plants and you will see the native species you love more" - poking a little fun but it makes tons of sense, I agree and plan to execute this order. 

I love watching these wasps dig. I don't get them often near my house but I have seen some around a lake house I go to. One would have almost a dozen chambers excavated around the outside of a small grassy hill surrounded by pavement. They dig like a dog, throwing sand and dirt far out the mouth of their egg chambers. Watching them come back and helicopter a dangling caterpillar into their hole is so cool. plus the colorations.
 

Edited by Scherme, January 13 2021 - 10:32 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

 

Fill your yard with native plants that feed their host insects. Enjoy them thriving in their native habitat.

This should just be in your signature somewhere by now lol 

"Fill your yard with native plants and you will see the native species you love more" - poking a little fun but it makes tons of sense, I agree and plan to execute this order. 

I love watching these wasps dig. I don't get them often near my house but I have seen some around a lake house I go to. One would have almost a dozen chambers excavated around the outside of a small grassy hill surrounded by pavement. They dig like a dog, throwing sand and dirt far out the mouth of their egg chambers. Watching them come back and helicopter a dangling caterpillar into their hole is so cool. plus the colorations.
 

 

I watched one have a stand off with a caterpillar except for the 10 minutes me and my brother watched it, it never attempted to attack the caterpillar and just ended up flying away. Still, it was pretty cool to watch.

[ANTdrew]

oof. I wish, but that will cost a lot. Also, that's kind of my parents decision. but, I'll still try in some way.

I couldn’t disagree more! You could fill an entire garden with plants for next to nothing using seeds. Read my native plant journal for ideas and a guide to growing native plants from seed.