Potter Wasp Surprises Photography Contest Judges with Its Magical ‘Broomstick Ride

Maddie Molloy

BBC Climate & Science

Bidyut kalita

This image titled “Special Delivery” was highly commended in the Behaviour: Invertebrates category.

At first glance, the potter wasp appears to be riding a broomstick.

But this industrious insect isn’t flying back to stir its witch’s cauldron, or playing Quidditch. It’s carrying a caterpillar – prey to feed its young.

It was captured by macro wildlife photographer Bidyut Kalita and was among the highly commended entries in this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

The winning images will be announced on 14 October, followed by an exhibition at the Natural History Museum, showcasing 100 standout photographs from around the world.

Scroll down to explore other highly commended works from the competition.

Emmanuel Tardy

Title: No Place Like Home

Photographer: Emmanuel Tardy (France)

Location: El Tank, San Carlos, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Mr Tardy captured a brown‑throated three‑toed sloth clinging to a barbed wire post after crossing a road.

As their habitats become fragmented due to tree loss, sloths are forced to make more ground crossings to reach the next tree, leaving them vulnerable.

Bertie Gregory

Title: Ice Edge Journey

Photographer: Bertie Gregory (UK)

Location: Ekström ice sheelf, atka bay, antarctica

Mr Gregory captured a group of fledgling emperor penguin chicks teetering on the edge of an ice shelf.

After spending two months observing the colony, he saw most chicks using natural ice ramps to descend safely to the sea – but this group had missed the easier route down.

Left to fend for themselves, emperor penguin chicks must eventually take a leap into the icy ocean for their first attempt at feeding.

Scientists believe that the decline in sea ice may force penguins to breed on ice shelves, making leaps like this a more common thing.

Pole Uddin

Title: Slime Family Portrait

Photographer: Uddin Pole (Bangladesh/Uk)

Location: Slindon Wood, West Sussex, England, UK

Mr Uddin discovered a grouping of slime moulds arranged on a fallen log in a forest. He described the scene as a “bizarre family portrait,” complete with a tiny yellow insect egg.

A slime mould consists of mobile, single-celled, amoeba-like organisms that live independently but can come together to function as a single entity in order to find food and reproduce.

Jamie Smart

Title: Rutting Call

Photographer: Jamie Smart (UK)

Location: Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, UK

A red deer stag bellows during the autumn rut at Bradgate Park, as captured by Miss Smart from a safe distance.

She avoided long grass by stretching upwards to keep the view clear.

The stag’s antlers, now fully hardened and velvet‑free, regrow each spring, becoming more impressive with each year as new points called tines develop.

What eshel

Title: Inside the Pack

Photographer: Amit Eshel (Israel)

Location: Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada

Eye‑level with an inquisitive Arctic wolf pack in −35 C, Mr Eshel fulfilled his dream to photograph these elusive creatures.

The wolves came so close he could smell their breath.

Arctic wolves, found only in Canada’s north and northern Greenland, are curious of humans due to minimal exposure.

Kesshav vikram

Title: Essence of Kamchatka

Photographer: Kesshav Vikram (India)

Location: Kurile Lake, Kamchatka Krai, Russia

After days of patience, Mr Vikram captured a brown bear walking along the shores of Kurile Lake, with Iliinsky volcano looming through cloud.

Whilst bears are generally solitary, this one was heading to feast with others on the glut of sockeye salmon migrating upriver from the Pacific to their origin lake to spawn.

Parham Pourahmad

Title: A Tale of Two Coyotes

Photographer: Parham Pourahmad (USA)

Location: Bernal Heights Park, San Francisco, California, USA

Catching the morning light, Mr Pourahmad framed a male coyote’s amber eye within the curve of a female’s black‑tipped tail.

He followed this pair across rocky hillside for a couple of hours and took his shot when the male paused to nuzzle the female.

Coyotes are highly adaptable and are beginning to re‑establish themselves in San Francisco, where they had once disappeared from.

It’s Kuster

Title: Pink Pose

Photographer: Leana Kuster (Switzerland)

Location: Pont de Gau, Camargue, France

Leana Kuster shows a greater flamingo in the act of scratching its head with one of its unmistakably long legs.

While on holiday she was fascinated by their foraging behaviour as they moved gracefully through the shallow, saline wetlands, filter-feeding for molluscs and crustaceans.

Flamingos use their tongues to pump water through their uniquely adapted bills, which are lined with rows of fine, comblike plates.

The greater flamingo’s pink colouring comes from a diet high in carotenoids – pigments found in algae and invertebrates such as shrimp.

Marina Cano

Title: Deadly Lessons

Photographer: Marina Cano (Spain)

Location: Samburu National Park, Samburu County, Kenya

In Kenya’s Samburu National Park, Marina Cano witnessed young cheetahs practising a hunt on a Günther’s dik‑dik, with their mother watching close by.

Cheetah cubs stay hidden for two months and only join hunts at about a year old to learn stalking and killing skills.

Lakshitha karunarathna

Title: Toxic Tip

Photographer: Lakshitha Karunarathna (Sri Lanka)

Location: Ampra, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, Lakshitha Karunarathna documented a lone Asian elephant navigating a waste disposal site.

Over the past three years, he has been recording the impacts of humans on elephants in the region.

The landfill site in Ampara was created more than a decade ago near a protected wildlife zone that is home to about 300 elephants. Along with food scraps, they consume plastic, which slowly kills them, officials say.

Gabriella Comi

Title: Wake-up Call

Photographer: Gabriella Comi (Italy)

Location: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Gabriella Comi and her guide David spotted a cobra moving towards two napping lions in the Serengeti National Park in the scorching midday sun.

The eldest lion lifted its head to face the slithering threat.

Ralph Pace

Title: Jelly Smack Summer

Photographer: Ralph Pace (USA)

Location: Monterey Bay, Monterey, California, USA

In the midst of a mass – or “smack” – of Pacific sea nettles, Mr Pace coated any skin not covered by his wetsuit with petroleum jelly to protect himself from stings.

The trailing tentacles can deliver a painful sting, which Mr Pace says feels more like that of a bee than a nettle.

Sitaram Raul

Title: Nature Reclaims Its Space

Photographer: SITAMRA RAUL (INDIA)

Location: Banda, Maharashtra, India

In total darkness, Mr Raul stood amid fruit bats emerging from a historical ruin, using focus and flash to capture the moment. Bats swooped overhead while “randomly pooping” on him and his camera.

In southern Asia, old world fruit bats often roost in abandoned buildings.

Isaac Szabo

Title: Fragile River of Life

Photographer: Isaac Szabo (USA)

Location: Columbia County, Florida, USA

Wading in a crystal clear Florida river, Mr Szabo photographed a female longnose gar alongside several males during the mating season. A turtle drifting into the scene was the “icing on the cake”, according to Mr Szabo.

This river is one of over 1,000 waterways fed by freshwater springs, known for their exceptional clarity. Protecting the aquifers that sustain these springs is essential, not only for iconic wildlife like manatees, but also for supplying drinking water to nearly half of Florida’s population.

Jassen Todorov

Title: Clouds of Gold

Photographer: Jassen todorov (USA)

Location: San Francisco Bay, California, USA

Mr Todorov captured clouds reflected in vast salt ponds while flying into San Francisco.

The ponds, which cover nearly 5,000 hectares, display constantly changing colours -a view he says he never tires of.

The process of salt collection in San Francisco Bay was industrialised in the 1800s but now the bay’s salt ponds are part of a major restoration project, bringing back tidal marshes and wildlife.

What photographic technique was essential to capture a sharp image of the wasp in flight?

The Unexpected Winner: A Potter Wasp in Flight

The annual “Wildlife in Motion” photography contest, hosted by Archyde.com, saw a surprising victor this year. Not a majestic lion, a soaring eagle, or a playful dolphin, but a humble Eumenes potter wasp, captured mid-flight in a pose that judges described as resembling a “magical broomstick ride.” The winning photograph, submitted by amateur entomologist and photographer, Alex Carter of Bristol, UK, has sparked widespread fascination with these often-overlooked insects.

Understanding the Potter Wasp: A Master Architect

Potter wasps, also known as mason wasps, are solitary wasps renowned for their intricate nest-building skills. They belong to the family Vespidae and are found globally,with over 200 species identified. Here’s a closer look at these fascinating creatures:

Nest Construction: Unlike honeybees or hornets, potter wasps don’t live in colonies. Each female builds and provisions her own nest. They construct small, pot-shaped nests from mud, often attached to stems, walls, or under eaves.

Provisioning for Larvae: The “pot” isn’t just for show. The wasp hunts caterpillars, paralyzing them with a sting, and places them inside the nest as food for her developing larvae. Each cell within the pot receives a carefully selected caterpillar.

Species Diversity: Different Eumenes species specialize in different types of caterpillars, demonstrating a remarkable level of ecological adaptation.Identifying potter wasp species can be challenging, requiring close examination of their markings and nest structures.

Beneficial Insects: Potter wasps are considered beneficial insects as they help control caterpillar populations, acting as natural pest control agents in gardens and agricultural settings.

the Winning Photograph: Deconstructing the ‘Broomstick’ Illusion

Carter’s winning image, taken with a high-speed camera and macro lens, captures the wasp carrying a caterpillar, its legs outstretched and body angled in a way that creates the illusion of riding a tiny broomstick.

Technical Aspects of the Shot

The photograph’s success isn’t just about luck. Carter employed several key photographic techniques:

1. High Shutter Speed: A fast shutter speed (1/2000th of a second) was crucial to freeze the wasp’s rapid wing movements, resulting in a sharp, detailed image.
2. Macro Lens: Utilizing a macro lens allowed Carter to capture the intricate details of the wasp’s anatomy and the caterpillar it carried.
3. Natural Lighting: The photograph was taken in diffused natural light, avoiding harsh shadows and highlighting the wasp’s colors and textures.
4. Focus Stacking: Carter confirmed he used focus stacking to ensure the entire wasp and caterpillar were in sharp focus, a technique often used in macro photography.

Why the Judges Were Impressed

Judges praised the photograph for its artistic composition,technical skill,and ability to reveal the beauty of a commonly overlooked insect. “It’s a truly unique image that captures a fleeting moment in nature,” said lead judge Dr. Evelyn Reed, a renowned wildlife photographer. “The ‘broomstick’ illusion is captivating,and it highlights the astonishing adaptations of these wasps.”

Identifying Potter Wasps: A Guide for Gardeners and Photographers

Learning to identify potter wasps can enhance your appreciation for the biodiversity in your backyard. Here are some key characteristics to look for:

Size: Typically range from 1/2 to 1 inch in length.

Coloration: Often black or dark brown, with orange or yellow markings.

Body Shape: Slender, with a constricted waist (petiole).

Nest Appearance: Small, pot-shaped mud nests, often resembling tiny vases.

Behavior: Frequently observed flying slowly near vegetation,searching for caterpillars.

Conservation Status & Protecting Potter Wasp Habitats

While not currently listed as endangered, potter wasp populations, like many insect species, are facing challenges due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Supporting pollinator-pleasant gardening practices can help:

Reduce Pesticide Use: Avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides that can harm beneficial insects.

Provide Nesting Habitat: Leave patches of bare soil or undisturbed vegetation for nesting.

Plant Host Plants: Caterpillars need food! Planting a variety of host plants will attract caterpillars, providing a food source for the wasps.

Water Source: Provide a shallow dish of water with pebbles for insects to land on.

Resources for Further Learning

BugGuide.net: https://bugguide.net/node/1098

University of Florida Entomology: https://www.archyde.com/wildlife-contest (link to contest page)