This Ichneumon wasp (prob. Megarhyssa macrurus) is an amazing parasite. This female wasp has located, near the entrance to the hole in this piece of cut wood, a beetle larva eating tunnels in the wood. The wasp felt the vibrations of the grub chewing and is now inserting her ovipositor (egg-layer) into the soft side of the beetle baby. Her eggs will hatch inside the grub and her babies will use it as food. They will make their pupae in the tunnel and then bore out as adult wasps.
all images property of BUGMAN Educational Entoprises
all rights reserved - do not use without permission
© 2000