In one of the previous posts, I had shared images of a Delta pyriforme building and adding feed to a nest, which was shot over a short span of a few days. In the current post, I’m sharing images of the more common Phimenes flavopictus (from B’lore), which have been pooled over the last couple of years (2021-2024). Interestingly, the wasps have chosen both natural and artificial substrate to build the nest on, and the shape of the nest has been quite variable.
Choosing material –
Wasp picking material from a damaged brick. Such activity was noticed even in other bricks fund around the yard. 23rd March 2023, 10:27
The brick is splattered with spilt cement from construction activity happening nearby, however fresh bricks without cement splatter were also chosen to forage for material. 23rd March 2023, 10:27
Mud puddling –
Puddling in the mud was noticed as early as January, but not often with visible nesting activity. 24th Jan 2024. 10:22 am
Puddling in the mud. 19th Jan 2019. 10:15 am
Nest location
Located on a mango twig at more than 15 feet height; 31st March 2023
Notice the lateral branching on the twig that may have been used as a support. Emergent holes visible. 31st March 2023
Nest on natural material ; Syzigium jambos at a height of 5 feet. Specks of dark black material to the surface is noticeable. 31st March 2023
Nest on a climber (avarekai, Flat beans, Hyacinth beans) supported by a nylon rope and under cover and shade; a projection at the tip of the nest is noticeable and turned out to be a feature in some nests. 31st March 2023
Nest construction duration
Base of a new chamber with wet mud was noticed by 12:01 pm 21st Feb 2021
The retort shaped new chamber (compare previous image) was completed in 2 hours and 45 mins. 2:47 pm, 21st Feb 20
finished nest starting from the above two stages was completed by 13th March 2021 taking at least 3 weeks. Very few nests were noticed to be as elaborate as the one here. However the projections at the tips were one of the features noticed in this nest.
The emergent holes on the nest was noticed by 23rd March 2021 taking at least 10 full days for the wasps t emerge. It is unclear by what time the first vertical column was added to the nest and may have preceded by a week from the previous image
Nest durability
Even though most nests wee exposed to rain and i open areas were damaged and had been destroyed, the one here was found under shelter (31st March 2023) and has lasted almost a year (28th Feb 2024 – image below) in spite of pruning of the climber and tugging of the nylon rope to fasten the rope.
The nest here was found under shelter (31st March 2023) and has lasted almost a year (28th Feb 2024
