Yesterday I tried something I've never done before, and that's animating a wasp! I'm not a professional, but I still had fun doing this. It's the first time I animate anything in 15 years, so I understand if it's not 100% accurate. #animation #Polistes #PaperWasp #art

This wasp is a Metapelma sp. , or perhaps even an imaginary species of Metapelma. Coloured pencils and white posca marker on 8½ x 11 cardstock. I tried my best. #Metapelma #Metapelmatidae #Chalcidoidea

My best attempt at drawing a species of Metapelma sp. viewed from underneath. It's crazy how hairy they are in real life. A very rainbowy species when viewed up close. Perhaps my pencils are a little too saturated? 🤔 #Metapelma #Metapelmatidae #Chalcidoidea

Pelecinus gothyturator. She's attending the Hymenoptera ball. 👗 #Pelecinuspolyturator

I've been trying out something new lately and that's drawing my friends and family as wasps participating in their favourite hobbies/activities. I've only drawn two so far, but I plan on doing more! This is fun! #Megarhyssa #Ectemnius #Cartoon #Comic #Anthropomorphic #Wasps

DONE. I may have to do little adjustments and fixes here and there, but overall I'm happy with how this turned out in the end. 🥳 48 different wasps from around the world! #Wasps #Hymenoptera #Apocrita #Aculeata #Parasitica #TraditionalArt #Illustration

Pleistodontes froggatti ♀️! I'm almost finished with my project! As usual, constructive criticism is welcome. Only 3 wasps left to draw! 🐝 #Pleistodontesfroggatti #Agaonidae

Chiloe micropteron! Now in Baeomorphidae, formerly known as Rotoitidae. I've wanted to draw one of these gals forever, and finally got around to it! I hope I did a good job! Constructive criticism is always welcome. #Chiloemicropteron #Baeomorphidae

Finally got around to drawing Ypsilonigaster tiger! Jose Fernandez from the CNC approved, so that's nice! I literally have 6 wasps to go, and I'm finished! #Ypsilonigastertiger #Microgastrinae

I think it's cool that one of the new characters in the second Zootopia movie is a pit viper. I feel like he's probably based on Trimeresurus insularis!! What do you think? #PitViper #Snakes #Trimeresurusinsularis

Rock on! 🤟🏼 #Polistesdominula #IndieRock #Inspiration

Throwback to this drawing from 2017 of Dasymutilla gloriosa. I don't even know where the original illustration is, but maybe I should try to redraw it?? This species is quite sexually dimorphic. The male looks totally different! Perhaps I should draw both sexes! #Dasymutillagloriosa #Illustration

These last few months have been a struggle. Nevertheless, I managed to sketch some random Polistes nimpha doodles. Drawing cartoony wasps always helps a bit with depression. I hope to carry on with my drawing project again soon. #Polistesnimpha #Cartoon #Expressions #Paperwasps #Hymenoptera #Wasps

New sphere! I believe it is a variety of ocean jasper. "Ocean Jasper" is formed through the process of silicification, where other minerals are replaced by silica (primarily quartz), resulting in the formation of chalcedony. It primarily consists of silicified rhyolite and quartz.

I just think Theronia maculosa is awesome. That's it, that's the post! #Theroniamaculosa #Pimplinae

I would appreciate a consensus from an Ichneumonologist, if possible! Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of the det label, nor do I remember the location. No other photos from different angles either, but I think this is Phrudus (Tersilochinae)? Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd appreciate corrections!!

Another wasp from the series. This one is Dasymutilla aureola! Drawn with coloured pencils. #Dasymutillaaureola

Waspception: a parasitoid of a parasitoid. This Amblyjoppa fuscipennis is in for a big surprise when she finds out the dark secret that this Euperilampus triangularis holds. Many Perilampids are hyperparasitoids of Ichneumonidae/Braconidae or Tachinidae that develop inside Lepidopteran larvae.

Queen blackjacket (Vespula consobrina) preening and consuming dried fruit juice from my palm and fingers. May 25th, 2024. #Vespulaconsobrina #Blackjacket

Female Plumarius sp. One of the most elusive wasps out there with virtually zero reference photos online, other than a black and white scientific illustration. I was privately sent two photos of a dead specimen, and used an illustration from a book as references. #Plumariidae #Chrysidoidea

While we're still on the topic of uv reactive minerals, I've had this fluorescent volcanic agate skull for years, and have only just discovered that it fluoresces! Mind blown! 🤯 Up next, is a wasp post! #Fluorescentvolcanicagate

I received my short wave UV light today to shine on my fluorescent agate sphere, and it did not disappoint! It looks wicked! #FluorescentAgate #Minerals

Throwback to October 8th, 2023, where this maple's leaves were transitioning with a tricolor gradient! The craziest display I've ever seen! Sadly, the same tree didn't look nearly as spectacular last year, however. #Acer #Tricoloured #Tree #Maple

I may not be a Dipterist, but I have definitely spotted some interesting flies in the past! This Sphecomyiella valida made an appearance at my house at night on May 12th, 2016. I had never even heard of Pyrgotids before! Phyllophaga parasitoids! From Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. #Sphecomyiellavalida

. Happy Dasymutilla sicheliana day to those who celebrate. . #NaturalHistoryCollections #Macrophotography #FocusStacking #Mutillidae #IHeartYou

A new form of Aposematism. A spotted Vespula would definitely be an interesting sight. There are sooooo many different types of wasps out there, and yet, I can't think of one with an exclusive polka-dot pattern! Maybe it exists out there somewhere! #polkadots #wasps #comic

Featured from my wasp project, this Aporus hirsutus was a lot of fun to draw! Their subdued iridescence is quite satisfying. I'm slowly building up the courage to draw my next wasp soon. Unfortunately, I got covid yesterday, so I'm just going to rest for a while. #Aporushirsutus

I may have a slight obsession with minerals. 💎 They make me so happy! #Minerals #Rocks #Crystals #Collection

Currently in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on a short trip. It's COLD today! #Winnipeg #Manitoba #Canada

I had the pleasure of illustrating the life cycle of Megarhyssa atrata last year for this paper: www.researchgate.net/figure/Life-... 1. Imago 2. Oviposition 3. Egg 4. Larva 5. Pupa 6. Emergence I put in my best efforts! #Megarhyssaatrata

This Ichneumonine by the name of Genaemirum phacochoerus probably wins the award for the weirdest looking face. It is hypothesized that these facial modifications are used as a way to shovel through caterpillar frass-filled tunnels in wood. Native to Africa! #Genaemirumphacochoerus

Spookiest transformation ever! A Halloween comic from October 2023. A Papilio canadensis caterpillar gets parasitized by Trogus vulpinus behind the scenes. #Papiliocanadensis #Trogusvulpinus

Most people don't think of wasps being aquatic, but there are definitely some that exist, such as Agriotypus sp. They are parasitoids of Trichoptera pupae and pre-pupae. #Agriotypus #Ichneumonidae

When I first discovered the existence of Cameronella, I couldn't believe my eyes! I just knew a comic had to be done at that point. Here is a playful Pepsis playing a game of darts with her Cameronella friend. (No wasps were hurt in the making of this comic). #Pepsis #Cameronella

Here is another wasp from my project, shown individually! I only learned about this one last year! Eutrichosoma mirabile is a very fun Chalcidoid! Covered in hundreds of small white setae, it makes for a peculiar, but interesting look! Wasps never cease to amaze me. #Eutrichosomamirabile

Cartoon Ichneumonid faces! One genus for each subfamily is represented. It was a fun project that I worked on in December of 2023. Hopefully the genera listed below are visible at this resolution! #Ichneumonidae

Last one for today. One of my favourites from this series. Chrysis mionii. Native to Africa. Drawn with coloured pencils. #Chrysismionii

I said I wouldn't post an update until completely finished, but given the circumstances, I'll just post where I'm at. Masona popeye will be replaced with Ypsilonigaster tiger. I have 7 left to do. I hope they're accurate enough. I can always redraw the ones with mistakes. Peace. 🕊️ #Wasps

The urge to hug every wasp I see! 😆😭 This Vespula vidua worker was happily lapping up sugar water from my finger. August 2024. #Vespulavidua

I love this game! birdiegame.net Today's was challenging, but I eventually got it!

I plan on posting my finished wasp drawing project here. It was supposed to be finished by now, actually, but depression has been hitting me really hard, and trying to draw anything is a struggle. I'll eventually regain that courage to finish 7 wasps before my project is completely finished.

Taking a break from Facebook in view of all the chaos going on right now. I will be posting stuff here for the foreseeable future. Enjoy this drawing of Herbstellus chango (Pompilidae) from 2024.