I have noticed that I haven't seen any Japanese Beetles in my garden destroying everything in their wake. Continuing with my "bee" theme for another day, I saw these guys loving the flowers of my mint patch. I googled to determine just who these fluorescent blue winged creature are. Apparently they are called the blue winged wasp.
From the web: The Blue-Winged Wasp is a natural predator of Japanese beetle (as well as other beetle species) because its larvae eat the beetle grubs. A female wasp will dig up a beetle grub and sting it to paralyze it. She then digs a cell near the grub and lays a fertilized egg into the hole. She then drags the immobile grub into the hole with the egg. Once finished, she sets out to repeat the process on another beetle grub. Once each wasp larva hatches, it eats the paralyzed, yet still living grub, starting with non-essential organs first.
Adults are most active in the summer. By day, they visit flowers and drink nectar. At night, they rest on plants and may socialize with other Blue-winged Wasps. Males tend to curl up around a twig or blade or grass in order to rest.
Many thanks for comments on the pollen covered bee yesterday and placing it on PP.
Thanks as always for taking time out of your day to visit my project.
I saw wasps on my crepe myrtle, but didn't look too close. Maybe I have them,too!! No wonder the Japanese beetles are scarce! The blue is magical...great shot, Sarah.
@jgpittenger when I water they just kind of fly away - so — so far so good ... I don’t remember seeing them before - but I haven’t had Japanese beetles eating the leaves off everything— ?
