Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Ants on dead wasp

Posted by HTK on 28-03-2022 22:27
#1

This dead wasp was drifting on the water of our garden pond on the fringe of the hillside area of the Eifel in West Germany on April 26, 2019. I detected several tiny insects that were leaving the body of the dead wasp at the rear end and climbing about just above the water surface. To me they look like Xenos vesparum. Your help would be appreciated.

Edited by HTK on 29-03-2022 11:38

Posted by HTK on 28-03-2022 22:28
#2

Another picture.

Posted by HTK on 28-03-2022 22:29
#3

A third picture.

Posted by Paul Beuk on 29-03-2022 06:46
#4

These are ants. To me they look similar to Leptothorax unifasciatus but I can imagine there are similar looking species in the Eifel area.

Posted by HTK on 29-03-2022 11:35
#5

Hi Paul, thanks a lot for your comment. Sounds very plausible. In the species list of Naturpark Nordeifel I found Leptothorax acervorum, but that doesn't mean that there aren't any other small ant species in our area. On checking Xenos vesparum again I realized that they have no legs, so they're definitely out. Looks like the small ants were feeding on the dead wasp when it was blown into the water.

Posted by Ilia Ogol on 01-04-2022 14:56
#6

Xenos vesparum males have not only legs, but also wings. But they, of course, have nothing to do with this photo. By the way, Xenos vesparum parasitizes Polistes, and in the photo - Vespula or Dolichovespula.

Posted by HTK on 01-04-2022 17:43
#7

Hallo Ilia, thank you for setting the record straight.