Enicospilus Wasp - Enicospilus purgatus

It's been too cold most nights lately for many moths to come to my light, but I was excited to see this gorgeous wasp a couple nights ago!

This large was was approximately 25 mm long. Its body was tan, orange, and brown with dark eyes. The antennae and legs are exceptionally long. Its abdomen was flattened, so that it appeared very narrow from above.

These are large, stingless wasps are commonly found at porch lights due to their unique habit (at least for wasps) of flying at night (i.e. nocturnal). Their size and shape means they may be mistaken for crane flies. They parasitize the larvae (caterpillars) of various large moths. Because they are parasitic on other insects and don't defend large colonies, they are harmless to humans.

Habitat: Attracted to a light at night in a rural area.