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Project Noah Nature School
Lissopimpla excelsa
The Orchid Dupe Wasp is a medium sized wasp with mainly orange body and dark wings. The abdomen has broad black band with four white spots on each side. The long thin antennae curl upwards at the ends. Females have a stout black ovipositor that is about half the body length.
It is called the Orchid Dupe because some species of orchids mimic the odour and appearance of female Lissopimpla wasps. The male Lissopimpla wasps mistake the flowers for females pollinating the orchid. This one flew into our house and got stuck by the window. I managed to get him back outside after I took a few shots.
Spotted on Nov 26, 2012
Submitted on Dec 9, 2012
2 Comments
Just had one of these things stalk me then get attracted to the lamp-do these thing bite or sting cos they have a big probe thingy on their buns-proboscis is it called? I’m guessing they’re parasitic wasps that lay an egg in something that requires that hacksaw to cut into something in order to deposit an egg. If that’s what it’s for-if it’s a stinger then omg how did this thing get into my house and how do I make sure there’s no more coming in again, my daughter is allergic to bees and ants so this could be bad if it’s a stingy bug.
Great series!