Thread-waisted wasp (with caterpillar)

Description:

Medium-sized black wasps with a relatively long petiole ("thread-waisted"), and usually with orange on the abdomen. Generally, males have weaker reddish markings than females, are more slender, and lack a tarsal rake on the front legs. Identification to species difficult. (information from BugGuide)

Habitat:

City park

Notes:

This wasp was observed carrying a caterpillar back to her brood chamber. I interrupted her travels and snapped several shots as she came back for her dropped caterpillar. At one point it appeared as though she chewed into the cat and was drinking what fluids were oozing out.

The last photo shows her running with the caterpillar. She holds it in her mouthparts and her first set of legs, and then runs by using her other two sets of legs.