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Pelecinid Wasp - Pelecinus polyturator Females are distinctive: their abdomens are five times the length of the rest of their body. The abdomen has six segments. Males are rarely seen in temperate areas, and this species is suspected of being capable of parthenogenesis.<br />
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They do not sting. The female uses her long ovipositor to penetrate the soil in search of scarab beetle grubs to lay her eggs on/in.<br />
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Habitat: Meandering on the ground in a mixed forest Geotagged,Pelecinus,Pelecinus polyturator,Summer,United States,wasp Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Pelecinid Wasp - Pelecinus polyturator

Females are distinctive: their abdomens are five times the length of the rest of their body. The abdomen has six segments. Males are rarely seen in temperate areas, and this species is suspected of being capable of parthenogenesis.

They do not sting. The female uses her long ovipositor to penetrate the soil in search of scarab beetle grubs to lay her eggs on/in.

Habitat: Meandering on the ground in a mixed forest

    comments (2)

  1. Crazy long! Do they actually penetrate the soil this deeply? Posted 4 years ago
    1. They can locate larvae up to 5 cm deep, I think. Posted 4 years ago

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'Pelecinus polyturator' is a large glossy black wasp, the most common and familiar species in the family Pelecinidae. The adults drink nectar. They live in crop fields, woods, and suburban gardens throughout North, Central, and South America.

Species identified by Christine Young
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By Christine Young

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Uploaded Feb 16, 2021. Captured Aug 7, 2020 10:23 in 91 Main St, Sharon, CT 06069, USA.
  • Canon EOS 90D
  • f/5.0
  • 1/64s
  • ISO800
  • 100mm