Great Golden Digger Wasp on a Swamp Milkweed blossom
Toronto. About six or seven years ago, we received a new variety of Milkweed – Cinderella Swamp Milkweed.
When it first produced blossoms (attracts Monarchs each fall) it also attracted wasps. This variety turns out to be safe with butterflies. Other varieties sting and kill Monarchs and any other butterflies they catch.
This wasp is called the “Sphex ichneumoneus“, or the Great Golden Digger Wasp. While it looks nasty, it’s mostly friendly and lives on nectar and grasshoppers, etc.. It’s no danger to people or butterflies or caterpillars. It’s easy to identify by the orange legs, orange and black rear, and large size.
And speaking of insects, collectors of photos of wasps, etc. should check out our events. While they may or may not spot insect photos, they will almost certainly spot items that add interest to any collection.
Our next 2026 event is the popular and well known Fall Fair next month as noted on this poster.
