Amidst the tranquil greenery, with the dew still barely melting, I found a pottery wasp enjoying the remaining dewdrops on the surface of a leaf. It seemed very thirsty, and it continued to enjoy the dewdrops, ignoring my presence. Although it appeared very relaxed, I remained wary, remembering that it was just an insect that likes to flit about.
This wasp is known in Latin as Apodynerus formosensis and belongs to the Vespidae family. Its body shape is quite striking. Its waist is very slender. It's so slender that it looks like its thorax and abdomen are separate. Fortunately, the waist is not long, so it's not very visible.
Not only is its shape attractive, but its coloration is also very beautiful. Jet black blends beautifully with bright yellow. A very attractive color combination. These colors aren't just for aesthetics; they're also a signal to its enemies that it's not a tasty snack.
Its pair of transparent wings are also very beautiful. When the sun hits its wings, they glisten, reflecting a soft light. The fine veins on those thin wings are truly beautiful. If you look closely, the vein pattern resembles transparent window boxes. Absolutely beautiful.
I noticed something strange about this wasp it had short antennae. Wasps naturally have long antennae. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the antennae were broken. The tips were flat, no longer pointed or curved. Perhaps it had just escaped a predator. No wonder it was so thirsty.
| Latin name | Apodynerus formosensis |
|---|---|
| Observation date | 6 Agt, 2025 |
| Camera used | realme 7 Pro |
| Photographers |  @reachdreams |
| Location | Aceh, Indonesia |
| Link to original community |
|---|
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/304107457
| Latitude | Longitude | Map |
|---|---|---|
| 4.695135 | 96.7493993 | https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=4.695135&mlon=96.7493993 |
