Red Wasp by Leeco
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Nikon 7900 pocket camera, hand-held image.
We are at day 5 of my “miscellaneous critter” week. I am not fond of social wasps and seldom get close enough to get pics, lol. It is one of the very few insects I am willing to use insecticides on. Fire Ants fall into the same category.
I happened upon this single member of the species and (since it was a damp chilly day) I realized he was not very active. I took the opportunity to get a few shots.
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
No Taxon (Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps)
Superfamily Vespoidea
Family Vespidae (Yellowjackets, Paper Wasps, and Hornets; Potter, Mason and Pollen Wasps)
Subfamily Polistinae (Paper Wasps)
Genus Polistes
Species carolina (Red Wasp)
They are about 32 mm in body length.
They are red all over with dark wings.
They are found in the Southeastern and south-central United States.
They are very defensive of their nests.
I am allergic to their stings, lol
Thanks to those who take the time to comment.
Lee

Comments (22)
wow - was für ein Macro! Hervorragend! So eine Wespe habe ich noch nie gesehen! Schön, dass ich sie auf Deinem Foto sehen kann!!! wow - which a macro! Outstanding! I did not see so a wasp ever! Beautifully that I can see it in your photo!!!
I couldn't tell you if I'm allergic to them or not. I won't get close enough to find out. Love the detail on the head! Usually I'm looking at the business end and forget entirely that they have heads.
I think I must have been walking round with my eyes shut for most of my life Lee, the little critters in your back yard have made me open them though. Fantastic capture, I have never seen eye's like this before either, it reminds me of the Quatermass series in the early 60's. Aliens were discovered in a space ship buried underground, they were like giant insects. Although it was in B&W, I could imagine them to be this colour. Excellent work. Bravo!!!!!
32 mm!!!! HUGE! I'm so glad we don't have these sort of things here. An outstanding mug shot of this 'to be avoided' insect!
Great picture, Leeco! Most interesting are these black dots on the forehead. It seems to me, these are not only different coloured spots but some kind of sensors? I googled around for a while but coudn't find something that explains these features except for one article that spoke of brightnes-receptors on the heads of bees. When you look on the other photos, can you see if these black spots bulge out of the forehead or if they are flat?
it surely has the colors to and build to look dangerous...and I can unterstand you are willing to get them of your property especially if you are allergic..smile...Fine shot
Such a huge beast indeed. It looks a super predator of the insect world, one very scary bug! Great shot, the "handlebar moustache" form of it's antenna from this view is bizarre.
Great macro and interesting infos. Thanks for sharing, Steve.
Great macro again
A very unique wasp!
awesome macro work. another work of art... home run
Wonderful shot! Bravo for your bravery in getting so close!
That's closer than I ever want to be to a wasp! The chill of the day was on your side. Cool shot!
Great photo!!!! Excellent capture. ROBY :O)
Brave....or, well excellent shot there Lee!
Very, very cool image. Would love to see these around here. So cool looking, great color for a wasp. Well done my friend!
What an amazing catch, he looks like a wild predator, something from 'Crysis' or 'Chaos Chronicles', dangerous and mysterious! Nature at it's best and so is the artist... your gallery is worth more than a look ! thanks also, for all the info. BB
the antennae look like surgical knifes.exceptional work. I spray first and ask no questions period
Excellent capture. I stay away from all bees, wasps and hornets except for telephoto use only. ER is not my favorite place to visit. :os Wonderful color on this too. Bunny
Fantastic work!
WOW! I have never seen Wasp like this! Great macro!
Nice portrait an so I'm glad you found it that chilly morning