Subject: Re: Wasp statistics and Re: generalizations
From: Jack Dingler <jdingler@onramp.net>
Organization: OnRamp Technologies, Inc.; ISP
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 1997 19:42:50 -0500
Message-ID: <MOD$970928.24055@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$970922.22377@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970922.26760@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970926.24426@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970926.13246@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970926.20144@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970927.4146@rec.gardens.ecosystems>


Bill Morgan wrote:
>
> You are one of the few people on the ng's who has an appreciate for these
> insects.
>
> I know of no studies on this particular topic. I suspect that the answer
> would be quite variable, depending on the crops and caterpillars in
> question. If I get a chance, I'll see what I can find on the subject. BTW,
> you might ask on sci.bio.entomology.misc if anyone knows of a reference
> offhand.
>
> I think that increasing their numbers will require you to change the
> habitat to encourage them. The most likely limiting factors are nesting
> sites and food. Someone else has already posted some info on providing more
> nesting sites, so I won't belabor that. There have to be a thousand ways
> you could make small structures that would work.

This isn't a problem for me. We live in an older wood frame house that
has plenty of sheltered overhangs. Two of the nests are located in our
covered front porch. These nest contain a rust colored paper wasps that
has amazingly docile. I've puttered arround their nests all summer
without exciting them. These nest became established very early in the
season and had some impact early on. The yellow paper wasp nest is
under the eaves just outside of the porch. This one became established
later, but lately their numbers have swelled recently and they appear to
still be bearing young. When I work around them, they tend to get a
little more excited, but they've yet to get defensive.

> As for food, you need plants that are around early and get caterpillars on
> them. Apparently, you do have this going. Wasps also like nectar, so having
> plants that flower early might be good. You might also try planting some of
> the late season things that the wasps forage upon just before
> overwintering. Goldenrod seems like a great example. (It attracts all
> manner of pollinators, predators and parasitoids...).
I live in North Central Texas, just outside of Dallas. We have heavy
clay soil and 100+f degree temps in the summer. I'm finding that
getting periennials that flower well established is a hit or miss
affair. This year though, between my blackberries, oregano and mint, I
believe I've provided plenty of pollen and nectar for them.

> Water sources are important too. If there isn't already something in your
> area for that, a pan of pebbles filled with water is good. (Bottoms for
> clay or plastic pots work well for this.) I assume you have some exposed,
> untreated wood source for them, too...
We have a lot of potted plants, so water hasn't been a problem. Our
porch and carport are both screened by wooden lattice work that they've
been slowly dismantling. :)

> When I remember or can look up the particular overwintering sites used by
> these wasps, I will post that too. Having them overwinter near where you
> want them seems like a good practice. If you don't already have some good
> sites, it shouldn't be too hard to make some...but back with that later.
>
> Still, I suspect that you will have some difficult getting high numbers
> early on. The queens to be come out of overwintering and start the nests
> either singly or in small groups. It takes a while for the first brood to
> emerge and for numbers to build.

I was afraid of this. The cabbage moths in contrast, don't have this
limitation.

> I want to suggest a small experiment for you, though. As you know, the
> wasps do not reuse their nests. (Sometimes leaf-cutter or other solitary
> bees do, but you can provide alternative habitat for them). What you may
> not know is that before each wasp emerges from its cell, it deposits a
> meconium (fecal pellet) in the closed end of the cell. Reused cells may
> have several, one for each previous resident. The interesting thing is that
> these meconia can harbor live caterpillar viruses. At one point, I provided
> some nests to a friend of mine who was an insect virologist at a large
> chemical company. He extracted some viruses, and was able to demonstrate
> their effectiveness against some lab strains of caterpillars.
>

> I'll revisit this idea in a week or so if I get some responses, and will
> probably throw it over to r.g and r.g.ed, as well. When I do, I'll go into
> a bit more detail about nest collection and such. The hard part will be
> figuring out the data collection...
>
> In the meantime, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts (and those of
> others on the group) on this topic.

I'm interested in trying this. As you know, I only have three nests,
but I'd be willing to share anyway.

Jack Dingler - Zone 8