Biodiversity and ecology in the Australian bush
Austrogorytes spryi A shady forest path, with an ever-changing layer of leaves and small twigs … and a familiar face emerges!

Austrogorytes spryi

A shady forest path, with an ever-changing layer of leaves and small twigs … and a familiar face emerges!

Austrogorytes spryi My first brief glimpse, but enough to confirm that these medium-sized sand wasps are actively nesting here again this season.

Austrogorytes spryi

My first brief glimpse, but enough to confirm that these medium-sized sand wasps are actively nesting here again this season.

As I watched the nest, waiting for Austrogorytes to return, this small wasp flew over … clearly also monitoring this site! Something quite new! The appearance of a crabronid, but the behaviour of a parasite.

As I watched the nest, waiting for Austrogorytes to return, this small wasp flew over … clearly also monitoring this site! Something quite new! The appearance of a crabronid, but the behaviour of a parasite.

When not hovering about the nest site, the little wasp perched close by.

When not hovering about the nest site, the little wasp perched close by.

Patient and attentive, she certainly seemed to be watching the nest entrance.

Patient and attentive, she certainly seemed to be watching the nest entrance.

Moments after this hovering sortie, she disappeared under the leaves … apparently into the Austrogorytes ’ burrow (although the opening of the nest was hidden from view).

Moments after this hovering sortie, she disappeared under the leaves … apparently into the Austrogorytes’ burrow (although the opening of the nest was hidden from view).

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Austrogorytes spryi A shady forest path, with an ever-changing layer of leaves and small twigs … and a familiar face emerges!
Austrogorytes spryi My first brief glimpse, but enough to confirm that these medium-sized sand wasps are actively nesting here again this season.
As I watched the nest, waiting for Austrogorytes to return, this small wasp flew over … clearly also monitoring this site! Something quite new! The appearance of a crabronid, but the behaviour of a parasite.
When not hovering about the nest site, the little wasp perched close by.
Patient and attentive, she certainly seemed to be watching the nest entrance.
Moments after this hovering sortie, she disappeared under the leaves … apparently into the Austrogorytes ’ burrow (although the opening of the nest was hidden from view).