Comments on: Return of the Jack Spaniard

By: Cheree

Cheree — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 15:40:59 +0000

I stumbled upon this article as I am searching for a home remedy for a very painful Sting I received over the weekend right above the knee from our friend Mr. J. Spaniard. This was such a good read that brought back memories of my encounter with hurricane Irma in St. John. I hope the island of St. Martin is well!

By: Willie

Willie — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 20:37:45 +0000

STX…. Boy are they back!!! Passed under a nest under my house, the whole nest unloaded on me!!!! 20 plus stings back of my neck and shoulders. Passed out did a face plant on stones. Out for ten minutes,had to go to an urgent care center..steroids and stitches for my lips,,,,not fun

By: Mark Yokoyama

Mark Yokoyama — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 22:35:00 +0000

In reply to Roger FRANCOIS.

Oui, il y a deux espèces à Saint-Martin. Il chasse les mygales.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepsis_ruficornis

By: Roger FRANCOIS

Roger FRANCOIS — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 14:59:07 +0000

Connaissez-vous ce que l’on appelait American Jack spaniard à Saint-Martin ?
C’st une guêpe bien plus grosse que la guêpe commune, d’un bleu brillant intense
qui faisait son nid dans la terre. C’est du moins le souvenir que j’en ais.

By: Pearl

Pearl — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 11:34:14 +0000

They are back in the BVI as well, post Irma. And tons of them as Carol from Anguilla mentioned, and they are nesting everywhere. I leave them alone for the most part, except when they nest on our balconies.

By: Mark Yokoyama

Mark Yokoyama — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 21:00:47 +0000

In reply to Carol Bartholomew. Hi Carol! Regarding how many there are, could be fewer Gray Kingbirds, which eat them. Also the wet year means lots of caterpillars for them to feed to their babies. I wish I had good advice about getting them to nest away from buildings, but I have nothing on that!

By: Carol Bartholomew

Carol Bartholomew — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 11:58:07 +0000

Hi Mark,
The Jack Spaniards have certainly returned to Anguilla too . There seem to be way more Jack Spaniards now than I can ever remember…I am wondering if the birds you mentioned were wiped out with Irma so there are not as many natural predators for the wasps. I feel we have an imbalance now with too many Jack Spaniards and they seem to be nesting everywhere. Are you finding that is the case in SXM??? Do you have any suggestions for ways to deter them from nesting in doors and windows etc. Seeking solutions.
Thanks …Carol

By: Xlator

Xlator — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 14:42:20 +0000

Hi Mark.
Lots of nests being built outside our apartment here at Mt. Vernon, including on our door frame this morning. I swept away the nests without killing the builders. Hope I discouraged them from starting over. On the overhangs they are very persistent with their construction activity.

By: Mark Yokoyama

Mark Yokoyama — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 09:44:54 +0000

In reply to Serena Preservati. Normally they sting when you are near their nest. If your husband is taller than you, maybe he is closer to nests when he walks by them.

By: Serena Preservati

Serena Preservati — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 15:50:33 +0000

Hi, Mark! We’ve experienced quite a few of these in our yard in Dawn Beach as well as while we are out hiking. Any idea as to why they always sting my husband over me?