New-to-Britain Grass-carrying wasp discovered at Greenwich Eco Park

25th January 2017

A new to Britain wasp, Isodontia meixcana (de Saussure), known as the Grass-carrying wasp, has been discovered at Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park.

About 2cm long, it is a striking addition to the UK fauna and gets its name from its habit of using grass as nest material.

It likes to visit flowers such as Mint and Gypsy wort, which are abundant at the Greenwich park, and preys on bush crickets, which are also common at the site.

Researcher David Notton of the Natural History Museum said the wasp is pretty docile and a solitary species, so does not form large nests.

“It’s quite unlike the better known and aggressive yellow/black social wasps with which people may be familiar.

“We don’t know how it got to the UK, and although it’s a non-native invasive species there’s no evidence to suggest it’s a threat to UK fauna.”

The full scientific paper on Isodontia meixcana (de Saussure) is available at:  www.researchgate.net/publication/312525668_Grass-carrying_wasp_Isodontia_mexicana_de_Saussure_genus_and_species_new_to_Britain_Hymenoptera_Sphecidae


Return to news list

Isodontia mexicana (de Saussure), Grass-carrying wasp (C) Natural History Museum, London

News

View all news

Get in touch

If you have any questions or queries about what we do or how to go about working with us we'd love to hear from.

Contact us

How you can help

We are always on the look out for enthusiastic, committed people who want to make a real and lasting difference in their local community.

Get Involved
Donate with JustGiving