wasps hunting on short grass

[jpscloud]

I've noticed this before but a lot more this year - wasps (not sure which type, but the black and yellow ones that go after sweet things in late summer!) flying very low to the ground on my lawn, landing occasionally, apparently hunting. Can anyone shed any light on what they're after or why they're doing it?

[catbee]

I saw some do this last summer. It turned out that there was a wasp's nest in the ground. (I found this after I had walked through them - ouch)

[ladyhawk]

they are hunting insects to feed the young, one flew over me the other day with a catterpillar bigger than itself

[Jason Green]

Evening JPS,

Can you get a photo of them?

Take care,

Jason

[jpscloud]

Thanks for the replies everyone... I'll try to get some pics but am not home much tomorrow - also my photographic skills are less than legendary (unless you count being really rubbish as legendary!)

I did wonder about a nest so watched some carefully, and couldn't see them going in or out of a hole at all.

Another thought that crossed my mind is that ant nests are sending out queens at the moment, do you think they could be after those? There were a lot around today - I didn't see the wasps actually catch anything though.

[sleepygardener]

Hi all, I've just joined today, so hope you don't mind me butting in. I was just out doing emergency weeding, on my knees in the shrubbery thinking about this that and the other when I noticed a general humming. Thought to myself 'Aah, the gentle humming of bees on a summer evening, how pleasant'. Then moved a couple of feet to my left to find myself surrounded by flipping wazzups! They were bombing in and out of an underground nest under a low-growing shrub. Loads of them. As I managed to focus on the ones flying out (whilst flicking them away from my head with the trowel) they all appeared to be carrying a little bundle in their front legs as they flew off. What were they carrying? Anybody know? I'm just glad I didn't stick my garden fork into the middle of the bush. I've been going to dig it up for ages. Thanks for any replies. I'll buzz off now

[jpscloud]

Hi sleepy (I feel a bit presumptuous welcoming you to the site as I'm quite new myself but welcome to the site )

That's really interesting behaviour. Hopefully someone wasp-savvy will come along and explain it!