Is this a hornet? - Ask Extension
Hi- saw this guy deep in a Penstomon flower- can you identify please?
Knowledgebase
Is this a hornet? #873380
Asked June 16, 2024, 10:29 PM EDT
Hi- saw this guy deep in a Penstomon flower- can you identify please?
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Scott,
This is NOT a hornet, but it is a special type of wasp called a "pollen wasp". Most wasps prey on other insects. Pollen wasps only feed on the pollen and nectar of flowers. Some are specialists that feed on penstemon flowers. The wasps in your photos appear to visiting Rocky Mountain penstemon? Or similar species. They are beneficial insects since they pollinate flowers.
Pollen wasps are solitary insects so they don't have a colony to protect. Stings would be extremely rare. The only way to get stung would be if the insect was accidently pressed against your skin. Pollen wasps prefer to keep to themselves.
More information here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/masarines.shtml
What a great find and great photos! Let me know if you have any questions.
Lisa
Lisa Mason
Horticulture Specialist, Entomologist
Colorado State University Extension, Arapahoe County
This is NOT a hornet, but it is a special type of wasp called a "pollen wasp". Most wasps prey on other insects. Pollen wasps only feed on the pollen and nectar of flowers. Some are specialists that feed on penstemon flowers. The wasps in your photos appear to visiting Rocky Mountain penstemon? Or similar species. They are beneficial insects since they pollinate flowers.
Pollen wasps are solitary insects so they don't have a colony to protect. Stings would be extremely rare. The only way to get stung would be if the insect was accidently pressed against your skin. Pollen wasps prefer to keep to themselves.
More information here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/masarines.shtml
What a great find and great photos! Let me know if you have any questions.
Lisa
Lisa Mason
Horticulture Specialist, Entomologist
Colorado State University Extension, Arapahoe County
Good morning, Lisa-
Thank you for the excellent info! I’m glad to learn a new species of pollinator- wasn’t thrilled thinking there may be hornets nearby. Yes the flower is Rocky Mountain Penstemon- volunteer in the garden on its second season. So enjoy observing the various butterflies, bees and wasps do their thing.
Thanks again- have a great day!
Scott
On Jun 17, 2024, at 4:49 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
