Thyreodon atricolor

Thyreodon atricolor

Thyreodon atricolor is a species of wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It is a diurnal, slow-flying parasitoid of sphinx moth caterpillars.

Thyreodon atricolor Thyreodon atricolor - A very distinct and large species with a black body, black wings, and orange-yellow antennae. Distinguishable as an Ophioninae by the laterally compressed abdomen with a distinct, circular "knob" between the first and second segments. Further distinguishable as a Thyreodon by the very large, bulging propodeum. Unlike most Ophioninae, however, the ocelli are very small and inconspicuous.(2) The basal tarsomere is just slightly shorter than the total length of subsequent tarsomeres, not slightly longer as in Therion or nearly twice as long as in Heteropelma (both Anomaloninae: Gravenhorstiini).
Food: Larval hosts: caterpillars of Sphingidae including Lapara bombycoides (northern pine sphinx moth), Lapara coniferarum (southern pine sphinx moth), and Paonias excaecatus (blinded sphinx moth)(2)
Life Cycle: Diurnal unlike most other Ophioninae, which are nocturnal.(3)
Remarks: "Although most members of the huge family Ichneumonidae are difficult to identify, this large species is an easily recognized, day active, slow flying parasitoid of sphinx moth caterpillars."
Ophioninae,Thyreodon atricolor

Behavior

Diurnal

Food

Larval hosts: caterpillars of Sphingidae

References:

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Taxonomy
Kingdom	Animalia
Division	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta
Order	Hymenoptera
Family	Ichneumonidae
Genus	Thyreodon
Species	Thyreodon atricolor

Photographed in
United States of America