I don't really know what to think about this. Every time I sit on my deck this flying insect that may be a flying ant, or a small wasp of some kind brings me baby dead grasshoppers. It flies around so fast I can't get a good look and the grasshoppers are usually a bit bigger than the bug carrying them. He flies around my head with the dead grasshopper and then drops it at my feet, leaves and does it again. This has been happening off and on for a week.

I'm not sure if he's bringing me gifts or threatening me with bugs I killed by applying insect control to the lawn.

Anyone ever seen something like this...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: frayedends,

It's oblation to the bug god.

Wasps are great predators. I've seen them carrying cabbage worms, which destroy my leafy garden plants.

The bug believes that you are a god and is bringing you sacrifices. You have stumbled into an episode of The Twilight Zone.

It's probably a reincarnated relative that really liked you, and is begging you not to kill it while it hangs around.

The bug laid it's eggs in your ear, when they hatch they will eat the grass hoppers... and you.

My guess is you are near where it planned to store the victuals for its larva and your presence scares it into dumping the cargo and vacating. Being a creature of hardwired programming, it is simply repeating the process, thereby being startled again, and clearing out again. Move away from the spot and observe what the next pass brings.

Do you leave the “gift” where the wasp drops it? If so, does the wasp eventually come back for it?

Perhaps the flying insect is concerned with your daily nutrition, and feels you need to increase your protein intake...

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
My guess is you are near where it planned to store the victuals for its larva and your presence scares it into dumping the cargo and vacating. Being a creature of hardwired programming, it is simply repeating the process, thereby being startled again, and clearing out again. Move away from the spot and observe what the next pass brings.

Not a bad guess.

Or you are the wasp god.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
My guess is you are near where it planned to store the victuals for its larva and your presence scares it into dumping the cargo and vacating. Being a creature of hardwired programming, it is simply repeating the process, thereby being startled again, and clearing out again. Move away from the spot and observe what the next pass brings.

Not a bad guess.

Or you are the wasp god.

Bring me paralyzed finger food, wasp slaves

Somewhat related: I hang out on my patio with a large crew of Yooper Chipmunks most evenings. The Munks not only chase, but they catch, grasshoppers. Then they eat them. Must be a delicacy.
Nothing going on airborne, yet.

So it seems to be continuing even when I'm not there. The carnage is astounding. The wasp is sacrificing grasshoppers to me. I am now the wasp god.

Move your chair and see if the carcasses move with it.

That's a nice collection of free katydids!

All that's left is to teach the wasps to find dimes and quarters, and retire!

Bizarre!! You certainly have my curiosity up...a quick google search does show there are numerous wasps and hornets that prey on grasshoppers but I don’t see anything about them storing them in one place. I don’t like bugs but would love to hear what is going on here just out of curiosity. Freaky shit dude!

If there is a university near you, I would call the Biology department and see if they have a bug nut* on staff who could either answer the question, or perhaps study the issue if interested.

Pretty cool phenomenon.

*Entomologist

ETA: Proper term for bug nut.

Look under the deck at that point. Mud nest or paper nest?

quote:

Originally posted by joel9507:
That's a nice collection of free katydids!

All that's left is to teach the wasps to find dimes and quarters, and retire!

Ahh, katydids, that is what they are. My mistake. Thank you! I've seen a few articles where there are a bunch of paralyzed katydids in the nest of leaf carrying wasps. They lay eggs in the katydid as someone mentioned. There are no nests that I can find. But I do recall in the spring seeing some wasps carrying pieces of grass around my deck. The dead katydids seem to be getting eaten. They are still on my deck but many parts missing now.

Put chocolate syrup on them and you will be the wasp god!