Wasps (not the human sort) still bothering Catholics

According to Rev. Thomas Krupa, pastor, "they can grow as large as two inches in diameter -- and they are very intimidating. They actually are pretty harmless."

As he spoke, a number of very large yellow and rusty-red wasps with yellow wings hovered near the ground and flew over mounds of fine, sandy soil situated everywhere.

Regulars

"This area is filled with cicadas because of our close location to the water," he said. Castleton is on the eastern shore of the Hudson River.

Father Krupa explained that he and the parish staff have learned to live alongside the cicadas and wasps. But they have no choice; no matter what they do to get rid of the pesky wasps, he said, they return, year after year.

"Each summer, we have a pest control company come two times and spray the area around the church and rectory," he said. "That thins the wasps out a little, but they return after a short time. I've learned to check the summer schedule because when visitors come for weddings and Baptisms, they aren't used to the wasps and can be put off by them."

Bumper crop

"I have actually seen a cicada dragged into a burrow by one of these wasps," he related. "It was very interesting to see how the wasp did it."

The adult female searches tree trunks and lower limbs for cicadas. She stings her prey to paralyze it and drags it to the burrow, where she has already laid eggs. She then seals the burrow; when the larvae hatch, they feed on the cicada.

Zzzzzz

"The wasps buzz by people all the time, especially when we are standing outside around the church," Father Krupa said, adding that they often scare children.

Chris Carr, the parish secretary, has also learned to live with the pesky wasps. "They come to visit at the window and peek in now and then," she said. "I have to admit I am respectful of them; I keep my distance. I let them have their space and hope that they will let me have mine!"

Father Krupa said that no one has been stung by the wasps since he's been at the parish. But he occasionally "hears a squeal now and then when people enter or leave the church. Most parishioners know about the wasps and simply give them a wide berth. In fact, we all give them a wide berth."

(08-22-02) [[In-content Ad]]