MN Wasp Watchers

The Minnesota Wasp Watchers program engages citizen scientists in early detection of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestations with the help of a native, ground-nesting wasp, the smoky winged beetle bandit (Cerceris fumipennis). The smoky winged beetle bandit female hunts buprestid beetles, including EAB, and deposits her beetle prey in underground burrows as food for her offspring. Citizen scientist volunteers can intercept the hunting wasps using an aerial net and the beetle prey can be captured and identified to determine if EAB is present at that site. Participants can note the location of Cerceris fumipennis wasp nests using iNaturalist. After we locate the new beetle bandit wasp nests, citizen scientists can monitor at that site for the presence of EAB. less ↑