This large black wasp with the incredibly long abdomen is a Pelecinid Wasp (Pelecinus polyturator), the only member of the pelecinidae in North America. These are females, as the smaller males are seldom seen. Pelecinids parasitize of the grubs of June beetles, which are those white C-shaped grubs that you dig up in your garden. The female uses her long abdomen to probe into the soil and lay eggs on the grubs. I found and photographed these three different females in my yard last year (2006), but I haven't seen any this year.
Edit 27 Jan 08: With the help of BugGuide, I have identified the image of a small black wasp as a male pelecinid. See above.
5 comments:
We saw on but we cant tell if it really is one or not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
**one
me and my friend found a bug something of this sort. but it had yellow tipped legs
I had one of these follow me around the garden for the entire afternoon once...when I moved into the next part of the garden, so did it! It posed great when taking photos and made a day of weeding quite enjoyable 😀
Can they sting
Post a Comment