Ichneumonid Wasp

Description:

This is a second entry this week for this little wasp in the Western Cape of South Africa. I was lucky enough this time to catch the larva of the wasp as it emerged from the caterpillar that the adult wasp had stung several days earlier to lay it's egg in. As with most parasitic wasps, the larvae hatch within the host and feed directly from it until the are large enough to emerge from the corpse and spin a cocoon of their own. This species suspends itself from an elevated position which leads me to believe that the adult wasp paralyses its victim and places it under an over hang of some sort out of sight where the larvae feed and then lower themselves down on a silk thread. With many roaming predators such as ants, beetles and spiders, this tactic adds to keep the cocoon and the developing was safe in the same way that Lacewing Insects do by placing their eggs at the end of long stalks. I have added a photo from my previous spotting to show the end product.

Habitat:

Gardens and Bushveld