Andrew Trundlewagon's photos with the keyword: Wasp

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17 Aug 2022 11 9 266
An odd one. A pelecinid wasp (Pelecinus polyturator). She is about two, or two and half inches, in length (6-7cm), although it is hard to tell precisely because the abdomen is curled up. She uses her very long abdomen/ovipositor to penetrate the soil and lay eggs in beetle grubs living underground. (This is a very good thing, we have been infested with beetles destroying the flowers this year). Another example of nature's endless inventiveness.