American Pelecinid Wasp
Pelecinus polyturator
The American Pelecinid Wasp is a slender black wasp found in open woods, fields, and forest edges across much of eastern North America. Adults fly low over vegetation and soil, with females using an extremely long, curved abdomen to probe for buried scarab beetle grubs. Adults feed mainly on nectar, while the larvae develop as parasitoids on beetle grubs underground. A notable feature is the female’s tail-like abdomen, which can make her look intimidating even though this wasp is not an aggressive stinger toward people.
- Type
- Wing
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- American Pelecinid Wasp