Drunk wasps headbutting...

These two wasps were 'drunk' on the honeydew from the aphids. I observed them headbutting each other. Then they had hand to hand combat. They fell off the branch. Then they flew together, had a fisticuffs fight midair and dropped altitude then flew apart.

In the morning the wasps act like wasps, just flying around. But when they alight the willow with the aphids excreting honeydew, they 'drink' and 'drink'. By late afternoon, they are headbutting each other which appears to be a deliberate act on their part. This results in fisticuff fights either on the branch or midair. By evening, many wasps are lying on the ground writhing. Some lie on the ground all night and there are dead wasps on the ground in the morning, or either they are in a coma.

Really this is not totally unlike human behavior at the local pubs! At least they have the police or bouncers. Mind you, judging from my blip entry the night before last ,Thurs 18th September, the ants might have been acting as bouncers.

This happens year after year on my willow. I do find it fascinating.