An Encounter with a Nest of Arabian Paper Wasps at the Wadi Showkha, RAK

Busy, busy busy! Arabian Paper Wasps working on their nest

You can feel the excitement as I was getting closer to observe these wasps

There is a frenzy of movement in the nest

The open cells contained wasp larvae that are being fed

The closed cells are wasp pupation chambers

This wasp is gathering pollen on an Acacia flower

Paper Wasps are both pollinators and insect larvae predators

The nest is secured, concealed and suspended upon this tree branch

The Acacia trees are in full bloom across the Wadi. Numerous species of insect pollinators are engaged in frenetic activity as they optimized the availability of these floral resources. Exploring along the length of the Wadi we found an unusual patch of greenery. Suspended on a high branch in the innermost portion of intertwined trees, shrubs and vines was a paper-like nest comprised of hexagonal cells being occupied by a contingent of Arabian Paper Wasps. Highly aware of the innate ability of these large yellow wasps to sting, I slowly approach the nest, heart beating fast, constantly watching if I will be attack, inching my way, determine to get my photos. Thankfully, the paper wasps were more focus on nest building than the nosy explorer and his camera. They did not mind the photoshoot, I was able to surpass my paper wasp nest encounter unscathed! 

THE ARABIAN PAPER WASP, Polistes watii (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE)

The Arabian Paper Wasps (Polistes watii) also called the Yellow Paper Wasps are large (16-20mm) yellow colored wasps, with long glossy, dark brown wings, large compound eyes, yellow antennae and 3 distinct triangular spots on its head between the eyes. 

They are called paper wasps because they construct paper-like nest. The nest is consist of a single layer of paper like comb with individual cells opening downwards. The comb is suspended from a branch or a solid horizontal surface by a single pedicel. The wasps collect fibers from plants, old wood and mix it with their saliva to create these hexagonal paper like but water resistant combs.    

DISTRIBUTION of THE ARABIAN PAPER WASPS

Faunal records of Polistes watii revealed that it is present in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Pakistan, India and China. 

The paper wasps (nests) are found both in vegetation and in man-made structures.

BIODYNAMICS NOTES

The Arabian Paper Wasps are semi-social insects. They exist in small colonies but without a distinct worker caste. A colony is composed of the founding queen, other inseminated females and males (mainly for mating). The founding queen is assisted by these other inseminated females in nest building. The nest can be small to moderate in size which can contained 150-250 cells.

The nest is held on a tree branch or a horizontal surface by a single pedicel wherein the wasps apply a protective chemical on the base of the nest to deter raids from ants against their brood.  

In each cell a single egg is laid. The larvae grow and develop individually on their designated uncovered cells. These larvae are fed primarily protein from insect prey like caterpillars, flies and beetle larvae (acting as biological control agents). The cells are covered once the larvae are ready to pupate. 

These wasps also feed upon pollen from plants and are considered important pollinators.

Hordes of Arabian Paper Wasps can also congregate around water sources during hot weather to quench their thirst and then carry water back to the comb for their larvae.   

Unlike Yellow Jackets and Hornets (which are quite aggressive), the Arabian Paper Wasps are NOT AGGRESSIVE, they will attack ONLY if directly threatened or when their nest is disturbed. Stings can be quite painful and can cause anaphylactic shock to sensitive individuals. 

If encountered in the field, approach with caution. Do not harass, disturb or attack the comb and the wasps.

I truly had an awesome up close and personal encounter with these super busy Arabian Paper Wasps as they were fully engaged in nest building!

Awesome creatures! AWESOME CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com  

A Tribute to the Beauty of the Acacia Trees in Full Bloom

Acacia flowers in full bloom capturing the morning sun (Maleha, Sharjah)

A glorious burst of white and yellow (Maleha, Sharjah)

Branches arrayed in beauty and life (Wadi Al Munay, RAK)

Truly scenic! Blossoms and mountains (Wadi Al Munay, RAK)

Its early morning,  I am enamored by its beauty (Wadi Al Munay, RAK)

Busy as a bee, grasping every opportunity (Wadi Al Munay, RAK)

Landing to kiss and to pollinate (Al Munay, RAK)

A Sulphurous Jewel Beetle holding on, surrounded by blossoms (Wadi Al Munay, RAK) 

Never let go when you are amidst beauty (Wadi Al Munay, RAK)

No manifold rows of spines can hinder a determine paper wasp (Wadi Shawkha, RAK)

Peaceful. Simple. Beautiful (Wadi Shawkha, RAK)

Silhouette (Wadi Shawkha, RAK)

The curtailing of spring and the burgeoning of summer in the UAE has brought a tremendous explosion of beauty amongst the desert and wadi landscapes. At this particular season, the Acacia Trees are in full bloom. There are more yellow to white flowers than tiny leaves on these spiny trees. Lingering under the shade of the trees, I cannot help myself into thinking and wandering that here in the desert we have been blessed by Almighty God to have our own version of the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival. Truly amazing! The warm desert breeze is inundated by the sweet fragrance of Acacia flowers in full bloom. The abundance of flowers on every tree has set the various species of pollinators into a frenzy! My mind is thinking about Acacia honey - yummy!  

The changing of the season has brought about this awesome display of floral beauty and life!

The one who admires beauty will always have the opportunity to see beauty. 

My outdoor adventures and encounters are constant reminders for me to pause, to gaze and to smell the flowers, to reflect, to appreciate and to be thankful! 

Awesome creation! Awesome CREATOR!

P.S. Which among the Acacia Tree tribute photos is your favorite? Please feel free to write and share in the comments section.

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com  

An Encounter with Sowbugs on a tree trunk at the outskirts of the Creek Park in Dubai

There is something oval, gray and fast moving on the tree trunk 

Sowbugs are armored and segmented land-based crustaceans

I usually encounter sowbugs along with leaf litter on the ground

It was a big surprise to see them freely moving on the trunk

The challenge was to capture that shot as they crawl along the world of bark 

It was a humid morning at the outskirts of the Creek Park in Dubai, The morning fog has just cleared, the insects were beginning to fly and buzz around the grasses and the trees. I was engaged in a photo pursuit of a troop of yellow paper wasps landing and lifting-off from a tree trunk, when suddenly my attention was captured by something oval, gray colored and fast moving on the tree trunk. I encountered sowbugs, not on the base of the tree nor on the leaf litter around it, these isopods were crawling on the intricate caverns emanating from the bark covering the tree trunk. 

SOWBUGS (CRUSTACEA: ISOPODA)

Sowbugs (also called as Woodlouse) have segmented bodies, oval-shaped, convex in form on top and concave (flat) on the bottom. They are dark to dark gray in color with a shell-like exoskeleton. They have 7 pairs of legs (yes you read it right, 7 pairs of legs!) and 2 pairs of antennae with 1 pair only visible. They are 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.64 to 1.27 cm) long, They have two main appendages which project from the rear end of the body. 

Sowbugs are closely related to shrimps and crayfish than insects. These ISOPODS are the only CRUSTACEANS adopted entirely to living on land (TERRESTRIAL).     

DISTRIBUTION OF SOWBUGS

Sowbugs are cosmopolitan, terrestrial crustaceans observed thriving in various locations and conditions. Reports indicate that there are about 3700 species worldwide. 

BIODYNAMICS NOTES

Sowbugs are scavengers, feeding mainly on decaying organic matter (detritus). They thrive in areas of high moisture. they tend to conceal themselves in dark, moist areas throughout the day and actively move at night. They are commonly observed in areas where there is compost, underneath mulch and stones, under flower pots and outdoor rugs, leaf litter and damp soil. They can also be observed in large numbers on grass edges along sidewalks and foundations.  

Sowbugs are moisture dependent. They cannot survive indoors for more than a few days unless there is a high moisture source inside. 

Interestingly, sowbugs molt differently as compared with other arthropods. They shed their old exoskeleton progressively as they grow and this happens in two stages. First the back half, from the abdomen (pleon) to the thorax (pereon) molts, followed 2 to 3 days after by the half of pereon to the head (cephalothorax). 

It is important to highlight that sowbugs DO NOT bite, sting or carry diseases. They DO NOT infest food, attack clothing or inflict damage on wood. As stated above, they prefer outdoor moist environments but they can occasionally enter or be introduced into premises. 

Because of their weird and primitive appearance, people find their presence disturbing or a nuisance especially when seen in large numbers indoors. It should be noted that their presence indoors can indicate moisture issues (dampness, water leaks), ventilation problems and a steady source of decaying organic matter. Gaps on doors, crack and crevices on walls and floors also grant them access. These issues must be address to curtail their numbers indoors in support to residual or spot spray treatments. (Spray pesticides judiciously, apply only when needed, on areas where it is needed and at the right amount).

It was truly a fascinating encounter to see these terrestrial crustaceans moving about on the bark of a tree trunk. It was amazing to see how they are adapting and utilizing the resources available to them high upon the trunk of a tree!  

Sowbugs are truly awesome detrivores! Encountering tree trunk dwelling sowbugs super awesome!

Awesome creature! AWESOME CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com