Bethany Abrahamson – Native Wasp Rumblings

Photo Credit: Bethany Abrahamson

I was planting some squash for the upcoming Garden to Table to Pantry workshop at the Placitas Community Library (please join us!) and noticed something blue rush past—was it a bird, a plane?

No—it was a wasp, and it had prey!

I thought at first that this was a native blue-black spider wasp from the family Pompilidae, the same family that includes our state insect, the tarantula hawk wasp. Though it could be a steel blue cricket hunter, in the family Sphecidae. I was enjoying observing it do its thing when…

  …What’s this? A combatant has appeared from the upper left!

Photo Credit: Bethany Abrahamson

Photo Credit: Bethany Abrahamson

The battle didn’t last long. Soon after, the victor carried away the prize under a nearby paver. Here you can see its beautiful blue-black coloration in the sunlight

Wasps are wonderful for the garden, acting as pollinators and pest-control. So long as they do not pose a direct threat to pets or people, we recommend leaving them be to perform their important ecosystem functions!

Photo Credit: Bethany Abrahamson

Speaking of safety: I am currently looking for volunteers to assist with an upcoming safety manual for the master gardeners that may be shared with MGs in other counties! If you’re interested in helping out, email me at babraham@nmsu.edu.

Come learn more about interesting things you can observe in nature at our next Nature Journaling workshop, or learn more about pollinators at the upcoming presentation on pollinators of Sandoval County in Jemez Springs!

Sandoval County Extension has a new Facebook and Instagram! Follow us for updates on programs and more info of gardening interest!