Bizmarckia & Wasp

[D Palm]

This has been an unusually Wasp heavy year. I have noticed they continuously build the nest on my Bismarck’s fronds. Particularly the fronds hanging around 3 & 9 positions.

Just curious if this is an anomaly in my yard or if anyone else has experienced this.

[TampaBayRay]

I have the same issue

SuperWalMarts have a 3pak of wasp sprays.  Im on my 2nd 3pak

[kinzyjr]

@D Palm Anything with big, wide leaves that keep the rain away and provide shade are targets for wasps.  When trimming philodendrons or any fan leaf palm in the yard, it pays to look under the leaves.

[sonoranfans]

wasps seem to prefer bismarckia over other big fans in my yard, though I once found a small nest on a copernicia fallaensis leaf.  I dont spray aggressive chemicals on my palms just vinegar or water.   I have lots of anoles(small lizards) in my yard and they eat all kinds of bugs.   Might be they dont eat wasps, but I dont want to kill those anoles with pesticides and watch the mosquitos/biting flies flourish.  I have frequently seen these lizards eat mosquitos and flies.  They are part of the balance of my yard which actually has few mosquitos.  In the past, a high pressure stream of water will blast wasps off the nest, then I remove the nest with a pole.  Today there is 20' clear trunk on my Biz, I have not seen wasps last 4-5 years.  Maybe wasps dont like being way up there in a windier environment.  I am not allergic to bee stings, so my risk is not that high, they just hurt for a couple days.  If I was allergic I would use a wasp killer for sure.

[Fusca]

I've had them nest on Washingtonia and Livistona chinensis fronds.  A decade ago I invested a few bucks in a pool toy squirter.  Mix some dish soap in a bucket, fill the squirter and take aim from several feet away.  My aim isn't perfect but I rarely have to reload!  😜  Problem solved.

[Bkue]

They get me every year. Same with sables. I spray when I see them. Don’t think it’s particular for one species but a lower hanging frond that provides coverage. 

[Brian]

In my yard they love to make their nest under the Latania fronds. A long time ago I knocked one off thinking I could outrun them but I couldn’t. I got stung several times as I was running. Ive learned that if I just leave them alone,  that they usually have abandoned the nest by the time the dead frond is ready for removal.  

[SeanK]

Paper nests in S.palmetto. The costapalmate leaf seems ideal.

[masatepino]

Here in Nicaragua the Wasps like to build their nests under Sabal fronds.  and also Saribus.      And bats like to sleep under the fronds during the day. one species can fold the fronds, so that they have their own tent.

[masatepino]

[Silas_Sancona]

3 hours ago, Brian said:

In my yard they love to make their nest under the Latania fronds. A long time ago I knocked one off thinking I could outrun them but I couldn’t. I got stung several times as I was running. Ive learned that if I just leave them alone,  that they usually have abandoned the nest by the time the dead frond is ready for removal.  

Other than one of the really small sps that occasionally make 2-4 celled nests in them, not sure why ( our heat perhaps ) but i've yet to encounter -any- bigger wasp ( or Hornet ) nests under Washintona, Sabal, or Brahea  fronds, both in town or at any of the botanical gardens locally or in Tucson.

This spring was the first time since living here i actually noticed ( ..whatever sp it is.. ) one of the larger locally native Hornets hunting around the yards.

Pepsis sp., AKA Tarantula Hawks  are the big kids here and they don't make communal nests.  Neat insect, but give them the respect they deserve since their stings are among the most painful out there. Would have to grab one intentionally to get nailed though.

Cricket Hunters and the various Mud Dubbers here  would be the next largest, but are harmless as well. Have had then climb up my leg / hands w/ out issue.

Of all the Wasps / Hornets i've been stung by / delt with, inc. Bald Faced Hornets, which are very skittish,  Yellow Jackets have the worst temperament.. By my 11th B-day, i'd learned to never try to disturb/ eliminate nest ( Nest in the ground )

At least we don't have Warrior Wasps  -yet-  From all the reports regarding how potent their stings are, you definitely don't want to disturb them, lol.

In general, i leave the ones that hang around the yards alone..  They keep the Cutworm / other foliage - eating caterpillar, Cricket, Cockroach, and Spider #s in check..  Have watched the Cricket Hunters here drag full - sized Crickets and Cockroaches into their burrow..

....Is like watching someone trying to move a refrigerator or large couch through a narrow doorway, lol.

 Ever open the nest chambers of a Mud Dubber,  you'll often see upwards of a dozen spiders stuffed into them.  Pretty neat.

W/ out them around, there would be a lot more howling about damaged leaves / chomped seedlings.. 
 

9 minutes ago, masatepino said:

Nice shot   Wish we had Uroderma  like these hanging out under palms up here..

An unrelated Bat, Lasiurus xanthinus ( Western Yellow Bat ) will sometimes roost under Washingtonia fronds / skirts, though with as many people up here who have an dramatic and overly exaggerated fear of them,  the thought of any bat hanging out in palm leaves can be enough motivation to have palms scalped.

Hate Mosquitoes and Flies,  leave the Bats.. 

Interesting, older article related to this sp. https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/home-garden/james-cornett/2015/05/13/western-yellow-bats-find-home-palm-oases/27221007/
 

[iko.]

On 7/7/2024 at 3:17 PM, sonoranfans said:

wasps seem to prefer bismarckia over other big fans in my yard.

+1 for wasps preferring Bismarckia also in Europe. I didn’t see any on the Washingtonia filifera or robusta around. Maybe it’s the thicker leave that offers more protection or the sturdiness not moving at the slightest breeze.

One nest came attached in the frond directly from the store. It was destroyed by the nursery people and over the years I’ve seen other wasps occasionally forming a new one. The nests are small and the wasps discreet so I keep a distance and leave them alone. I didn’t see wasps in a smaller Bismarckia planted in one side.

[Fusca]

11 hours ago, iko. said:

+1 for wasps preferring Bismarckia also in Europe. I didn’t see any on the Washingtonia filifera or robusta around. Maybe it’s the thicker leave that offers more protection or the sturdiness not moving at the slightest breeze.

I'm sure they prefer the thicker/stiffer fronds when they have a choice.  When there's only one species with large fronds available they aren't fussy!  "Beggers can't be choosers!"

Not in a palm but I recently found this nest in one of my large shrubs.  I don't know what species of wasp this is but they don't spend much time flying around.  They don't seem concerned at all about me weeding/mowing around the bush.  I wouldn't have even noticed them if I hadn't checked out the bird nest just below it!

[Silas_Sancona]

4 minutes ago, Fusca said:

I'm sure they prefer the thicker/stiffer fronds when they have a choice.  When there's only one species with large fronds available they aren't fussy!  "Beggers can't be choosers!"

Not in a palm but I recently found this nest in one of my large shrubs.  I don't know what species of wasp this is but they don't spend much time flying around.  They don't seem concerned at all about me weeding/mowing around the bush.  I wouldn't have even noticed them if I hadn't checked out the bird nest just below it!

Hard to say w/ out a closer ups but, could be these:

[Fusca]

That looks like a good candidate.  Thanks!

[D Palm]

I seen this at work today on a sabal palmetto growing on the tree line. 

[BayAndroid]

On 7/7/2024 at 5:47 AM, kinzyjr said:

@D Palm Anything with big, wide leaves that keep the rain away and provide shade are targets for wasps.  When trimming philodendrons or any fan leaf palm in the yard, it pays to look under the leaves.

Yikes... Thanks for this! 

[D Palm]

On 7/7/2024 at 8:47 AM, kinzyjr said:

@D Palm Anything with big, wide leaves that keep the rain away and provide shade are targets for wasps.  When trimming philodendrons or any fan leaf palm in the yard, it pays to look under the leaves.

The wasp population has been exceptionally explosive this year. I have been stung 7 times. They  keep rebuilding the nests on my Bismarck’s. My observation is they really enjoy fronds at the 9 & 12 position that are very costa palmate for maximum protection.

[kinzyjr]

11 hours ago, D Palm said:

The wasp population has been exceptionally explosive this year. I have been stung 7 times. They  keep rebuilding the nests on my Bismarck’s. My observation is they really enjoy fronds at the 9 & 12 position that are very costa palmate for maximum protection.

I'm surprised they've been that aggressive.  I've literally bumped into a nest with my head while trimming the philodendrons and they weren't happy, but they just buzzed their wings to let me know to leave.  This year, they've insisted on nesting in the sea grapes by the walkway, and still keep coming back after being removed twice.

[Bkue]

Not to be repetitive but they like all palms that provide coverage. I get just as many on sabals and sometimes on Christmas. Spray when you see them. I have been hit 20x in the last 3 years between the sabals and bismarcks. Fortunately hurts for a few but fades before I’m done in their area. I only treat for the kids.