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Project Noah Nature School
Leucospis affinis
About 7-8 millimeters in body length, colored as shown. Note ovipositor curled back over the top of the abdomen, a hallmark of leucospids. Note also the greatly enlarged hind femora ("thighs").
Wasp was taking nectar from a single, blooming saltcedar tree (Tamarix sp.) in a vast vacant field of degraded shortgrass prairie with sunflower, yucca, and scattered elm trees.
These insects, as larvae, are parasitic in the nests of leafcutter bees.
Spotted on Jun 16, 2012
Submitted on Jan 10, 2014
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