The male Great Black Wasp spends most of their time airborne, looking for food, chasing off other males and trying to mate with females.Īdult Great Black Wasps may look mean, but they are disinterested in humans and are not bothersome.
Interesting Facts About the Great Black Wasp: Where do they migrate? The Great Black Wasp does not migrate. The larva probably passes the winter in a pre-pupal state, pupating the following spring and then emerging in summer as an adult. Once the egg hatches, the emerging larva has an immediate food source and will devour the insects as it grows and develops over approximately ten days. She catches, stings, and paralyzes her prey but does not kill it. Known as the “Katydid Hunter”, the female Great Black Wasp captures several katydids or grasshoppers and places these next to the egg. The female digs a long tunnel in the ground with multiple chambers to lay eggs. Mating season is just before the start of summer. They are a solitary wasp and do not live in colonies. When and where do they breed and nest? Like other wasps, the Great Black Wasp undergoes complete metamorphosis through (1) egg, (2) larva, (3) pupa, and (4) adult. They reside in prairies, fields and meadows that support their preferred plants. Where do they take up residence? The Great Black Wasp is common and widespread, living throughout the U.S., except the Pacific Northwest, and up into southeastern Canada. In the larval stage, they primarily feed on katydids, grasshoppers, or crickets. They find this nectar in Milkweed, mountain mints, Rattlesnake Master, White Sweet Clover, and goldenrods.
What’s for dinner? Nectar and katydids – depending on their point in life cycle! Adult Great Black Wasps need flower nectar to fuel their flight. The only role of the male Great Black Wasp is to mate. They may fly around looking anxious if you approach their tunnel. Female Great Black Wasps dig long tunnels underground, with multiple chambers to hold eggs. They are said to be mellower than bees and other wasps. How else do they behave? Great Black Wasps are solitary, not social creatures like bees. What are their flight patterns? Great Black Wasps are short distance fliers as they search for suitable plants and to hunt katydids for their young. How big are they? Huge! The Great Black Wasp averages approximately one and one-half inches in length. And over at Stonegate Park, you may see the Great Black Wasp feeding on the fascinating Rattlesnake Masters or Virginia Mountain Mints. Where can they be found at Carillon Stonegate Pond? During the summer, the Great Black Wasp may be found around some of the milkweed or goldenrod plants that grow around Carillon Stonegate Pond. And, toward the other end, she has a stinger-tipped abdomen (see fifth photo). The heavy-duty mandibles (mouthparts) are relatively large and sickle-shaped, allowing her to hang onto her large Katydid prey. There is a narrow constriction between thorax and abdomen – known as a “thread-waisted” wasp. When not flying, they usually fold their wings together lengthwise down the back. They have smoky black wings that shine with a blue iridescence. What to look for? Strikingly large, black wasp! The Great Black Wasp has a satiny matte black body.
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