Lou - The wasps I've observed kick out the frass and use it as a nesting site. When she's finished, she plugs the hole with mud. I've seen it with small, round holes on the exterior of log cabins as well as Old House Borer oval flight holes. There are a variety of wasps involved. I've watched the females in certain situations, but have never collected any.
Tom -----Original Message----- From: Louis Sorkin <[email protected]> To: pestlist <[email protected]> Sent: Fri, Feb 4, 2011 8:57 am Subject: Re: [pestlist] Powderpost Beetles Tom, in your accompanying paper I was wondering what small wasps collect the beetle frass. Also, some small wasps can be parasitoids of wood boring beetles. Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless -----Original message----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Fri, Feb 4, 2011 12:45:40 GMT+00:00 Subject: [pestlist] Powderpost Beetles Group - Questions concerning powderpost beetles have recently arisen. Over the past 35 years, I have provided expert witness testimony as an entomologist specializing in urban pest management in hundreds of wood-destroying litigation matters in numerous states. I am attaching a summary of information about powderpost beetles for your review. Feel free to ask questions about your specific situations. Thomas A. Parker, PhD President, Entomologist Pest Control Services, Inc. 469 Mimosa Circle Kennett Square, PA 19348 610-444-2277 Office 610-348-9890 Cell www.museumpestcontrol.com
