Wednesday, 4 February 2015

An unexpected find under the floorboards...

It all started with a leak in the conservatory a few days ago... Trying to work out the source of the problem, a floorboard had to come up yesterday to investigate what was either a leaky radiator pipe or water getting in from outside. (Luckily, it turned out to be the former, and was easily fixed by a plumber friend of ours!)

Stuck to some polystyrene insulation under the floorboards was this beautiful (and apparently unoccupied) nest - most likely the work of a queen wasp. It is the size of a ping pong ball, weighs 0.4 grams and there are a dozen or so hexagonal cells inside. There is a gap of nearly a foot between the underside of the flooring/insulation and the cement and damp-proof course - she will have presumably come in through the vents in the brickwork to make a home in this space.

I'm just struck by how beautifully crafted it is!

Side view of nest

A look inside - showing some of the cells
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6 comments:

  1. Unknown15 February 2015 at 08:18

    Hi Jan, wow I have never seen anything like this. It is so intricate. Clever wasp, although I still don't want to meet her!
    Clairebobble

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    1. Jan15 February 2015 at 12:31

      Hi Claire, thanks for commenting - it's unlike anything I've seen before either. I love the colours and patterns - a real little work of art! :)

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  2. Anonymous15 February 2015 at 15:27

    It's quite pretty... :)

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    1. Jan15 February 2015 at 23:12

      Thanks Kez - I'd love to know what the different sources of wood were that she used to get all those lovely colours! :) x

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  3. Unknown8 March 2015 at 10:59

    Nature never ceases to amaze me. A very lovely piece of work she has created. It's like a little basket of sorts.

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    Replies
    1. Jan8 March 2015 at 13:48

      Thanks Greg - it was really interesting to see the very beginnings of a nest - an amazing little structure!

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