Sugar Wasps??

[tri-mountain maple]

Well before we had our freeze here in CT last week it was awfully warm. Since I fired back up yesterday some wasp looking bugs were in my flue pan, I picked the ones off the top but some made it all the way to the draw-off and were caught by the syrup filters. All of the sap to be boiled is filtered as well and no wasps were in the tank or sap filters. Did I have a hatch of wasps near the sugarhouse by coincidence or are there a type of wasps that are especially attracted to the sugar?

[wildlifewarrior]

I would say that because we had like 3 days almost 60, you probably didn't have a hatch, but the wasps that were hibernating in the shack for the winter warmed up and were looking for a quick sugar boost (Like when bee keepers feed sugar water in the spring). They probably were still a bit cold, and got stuck. You have a description or pictures?

Mike

[tri-mountain maple]

Weren't yellow jackets or hornets but similar size, must've been nesting somewhere like in the cupola rafters or something

[wildlifewarrior]

Mud Wasps like to make their little mud tunnels on wood where it is shaded, like a cupola. Very interesting. I know I started to freak out a bit when we had those warm days and I was seeing the "sugar moths" flying around as I was driving. I am teaching invertebrates in my zoology class, and I am even learning about all these crazy animals myself.