Utilizing Wasp Nesting Boxes as Safe Experimental Collection Sites Christopher W. Dinges, Asaph Matheus M. Barbosa

Nesting Boxes

Abstract With the purpose of recreating an artificial wasp habitat and testing its proficiency, our group of researchers built model wasp nesting sites out of white pine, with the conjoining members (hinges, screws) being metal. These nesting sites were roughly cube shaped, with two hatches and a wire screen on the inside face of the top hatch. These boxes were constructed according to specific instructions given by Chris Dinges which allowed them to facilitate naturally occurring nests. An AutoCAD sketch of the boxes was made to facilitate Three Dimensional viewing (figure 1). In addition to having a door and a wire screen to keep predators out, the boxes also had a pulley system and a mirror attached to the bottom hatch. The pulley system was put in place to allow us to keep a distance from the stationary box, while being able to safely close it. Given that one of the main dangers of catching wasps is the proximity at which you must be, the pulley system was a novel safety implement. The tension line ran along the midsegment of the back of the box, along the mid-segment of door under and finally attached to a spot on the ground eight feet horizontally from the box which was about four feet off the ground. Applying tension to the line close to the ground would break the equilibrium of the system, eventually closing the door as necessary. The small mirror was placed on the inside facing side of the door to allow full view of the inside of the box from the safe position mentioned above. My purpose in this project was to help with the building of the boxes. We got 32 boxes done in two weeks (figure 2). The boxes were placed roughly 30 feet apart at two experimental transects. In the following and ongoing weeks, my task is to monitor any wasp nesting that occurs. Unfortunately though, nesting won’t occur until around May.

Figure 1

Figure 2

To be Continued…

Target Species Given the area of study (Stillwater, OK) and the time of year at which the study will be completed, we have narrowed our search to a few key species. Metricus and Carolina are the most abundant in Oklahoma this time of year, so we are hoping to find quite a few of those. Exclamans is also a possibility but not as likely. Spotting any other species will be near impossible. The nesting boxes are being used to facilitate the building process of the nests, which will occur naturally as the temperature becomes optimal.

Polistes metricus

Polistes carolina

Polistes exclamans

Above: Control apparatus for mild electric shock. Right: Polistes Metricus being shocked and responding with its stinger.