Pollen Wasp
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Pollen wasps (Masarinae), one of five Vespidae subfamilies are so named because of their practice of feeding their young pollen, rather than insects or spiders, the traditional young wasp diet.
A small subfamily consisting of one natve genera (Pseudomasaris), with approximately one dozen species (out of approximately 300 documented global species), pollen wasp populations tend to stay low within their range, the Western United States, including the Rocky Mountain region.
From afar, they resemble a variety of different wasp species, including the yellowjacket. A closer look reveals a pair of club antenna, uncommon among wasps, along with a distinct abdominal stripe pattern.
The top picture shows the species, Pseudomasaris edwardsii.
© 2009-2011 Patricia A. Michaels