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Emerald Cockroach Wasp

Ampulex compressa

Description:

Bright Iridescent Green Digger Wasp with orange legs and purple wings. Size is about 25mm. This wasp searches for cockroaches and temporarily paralyses them with a sting between the front legs before stinging again directly into their brain and then leads them by their antenna to a prepared hole in the ground. Then it proceeds to lay a single egg on the abdomen. The larvae then eats the cockroach alive and then pupates to emerge fully grown. Bizarre!!!!

Habitat:

Found on my garden wall.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Paul Davis
Paul Davis 10 years ago
Emerald Cockroach Wasp
Ampulex compressa


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5 Comments

sunnyjosef
sunnyjosef 10 years ago

Thank you so much LeanneGardner

LeanneGardner
LeanneGardner 10 years ago

Lovely colours :)

LaurenZarate
LaurenZarate 10 years ago

Gorgeous!

sunnyjosef
sunnyjosef 10 years ago

Updated with another picture..

sunnyjosef
sunnyjosef 10 years ago

Thank you Paul Davis for the I D..

sunnyjosef
Spotted by
sunnyjosef

Ernakulam, Kerala, India

Spotted on Feb 9, 2014
Submitted on Feb 9, 2014

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