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Epsilon chartergiforme (syn. Pseudepipona chartergiformis)
I spotted this small wasp which had distinctive black and yellow bands on the abdomen (gaster), and yellow spots on the thorax, of which I particularly like the "cranky face" marking. It was also smaller than other wasps and hornets I've seen in the area. The "black mud-nesting wasp" looks very similar, but I can't say promising simply because this species grows up to 20 mm long, whereas my spotting was only about 10-12 mm long.... http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_... and.... https://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane... Both are Paralastor sp. wasps. Another spotting that looks similar, but it's an unknown species.... https://www.ozanimals.com/Insect/Paper-W... Paper or potter, native or not, I just don't know yet. And they're not the best photos; it was a rescue mission, not a photo shoot. NB: My 900th spotting on PN. (2.488)
Rescued from inside an office at the Metroplex on Gateway estate, Murarrie, Brisbane.
CUT TO THE CHASE! I've just sent a message to the Australian Museum in Sydney, asking for their assistance to ID this spotting. 11/06/2020: The response.... This wasp is the species Epsilon chartergiforme, which is one of the Resin Mason Wasps. In checking with an entomologist they said that “species of Paralastor, , that might be mistaken for Epsilon. The nest would, of course, clinch the identification or close examination of a specimen.” PS: Now that I know what type of wasp this is, here's a fine example of why it's called a "resin mason wasp".... https://www.flickr.com/photos/58356728@N...
Spotted on Mar 6, 2020
Submitted on Apr 4, 2020
2 Comments
Thanks, Mark. Yes, I've looked at many of those but still can't find an exact match. Let's see what the museum comes back with.
Eumeninae is confident... the only group which can colapse it's wings like that.