The Ark In Space

The Bizarre Nest of the Central American Paper Wasp

Wednesday, 15 April 2020

Take a look at the photograph above. Is it some strange kind of blooming plant? Is it a fungal growth attached to a tree? It is something else entirely. This is the bizarre nest of the Central American Paper Wasp (Apoica pallens). It is notable for one thing – an apparent lack of nest altogether. Those pale yellow cigar-shaped objects? They are the wasps, huddled together in neat order, waiting for the evening to come.

Image Credit
The species is native to the lowlands of central and northern South America, so unless you live there you are not going to stumble across something like this in the forest – although whether that is a shame or a relief entirely depends on you. However, these wasps have developed a kind of night vision which means that they swarm and forage only after the sun goes down. Until then, they adopt this position under the comb face of their nest – and it is entirely defensive.

The Burrowing Owl – The Smallest Species of Owl

Saturday, 29 June 2019

There are a number of things which separate the burrowing owl from other species. The first clue is in the name. Another is that they are the smallest species of owl on the planet and more often or not they do not weight more than half a pound in weight and reach around ten inches in height. They also come out in the day time, unlike most other owls.

Image Credit Flickr User kevincole

Image Credit Flickr User Kevincole

That is not a snake that the adult burrowing owl is feeding to its chick. It's a caterpillar - which goes to show just how small they are. They are also much more relaxed around humans than other species of owls. They will happily colonize areas like airports and golf courses and have even been known to nest in larger gardens. As long as there are open areas and a good water supply they seem to be content to live near us.

The Tarantula Hawk Wasp - Ruthless ‘Raptor’ of the Insect World

Sunday, 26 August 2018

Image Credit Flickr User Crume

They are among the largest species of wasp and their name is taken from both its prey and a ruthlessly efficient killing machine, the raptor known as a hawk. Yet the Tarantula Hawk Wasp gains its fearful name and reputation from the simple urge to care for and nourish its young.

Image Credit Flickr User Ethan Lundgaard

Growing up to two inches (5cm) in length the sight of a tarantula hawk would send the average entomophobic in to a state of palpitations. So, perhaps if you are already frowning squeamishly, your knuckles rapidly whitening, then you should not read on.

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