"parasitic wasp"

#13228899

22 January 2026

An Ichneumon Wasp (Therion female) is in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on August 6, 2025.

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#12660630

19 August 2025

Ichneumonid wasp (family Ichneumonidae) attempting to parasitize a round-headed katydid nymph (Orthoptera) in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on August 19, 2025. Members of this parasitoid wasp family play an important role in regulating insect populations and are considered valuable agents for biological control.

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#12660634

19 August 2025

Ichneumonid wasp (family Ichneumonidae) attempting to parasitize a round-headed katydid nymph (Orthoptera) in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on August 19, 2025. Members of this parasitoid wasp family play an important role in regulating insect populations and are considered valuable agents for biological control.

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#12483561

17 June 2025

A spider wasp (family Pompilidae) is seen paralyzing a large huntsman spider and attempting to drag it up a wall., on June 17, 2025. Spider wasps--also known as spider-hunting wasps--paralyze spiders with their sting before laying eggs inside the spider's abdomen. The developing larvae feed on the still-living host, eventually consuming it entirely.

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#12483563

17 June 2025

A spider wasp (family Pompilidae) is seen paralyzing a large huntsman spider and attempting to drag it up a wall., on June 17, 2025. Spider wasps--also known as spider-hunting wasps--paralyze spiders with their sting before laying eggs inside the spider's abdomen. The developing larvae feed on the still-living host, eventually consuming it entirely.

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#12483565

17 June 2025

A spider wasp (family Pompilidae) is seen paralyzing a large huntsman spider and attempting to drag it up a wall., on June 17, 2025. Spider wasps--also known as spider-hunting wasps--paralyze spiders with their sting before laying eggs inside the spider's abdomen. The developing larvae feed on the still-living host, eventually consuming it entirely.

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#12483567

17 June 2025

A spider wasp (family Pompilidae) is seen paralyzing a large huntsman spider and attempting to drag it up a wall., on June 17, 2025. Spider wasps--also known as spider-hunting wasps--paralyze spiders with their sting before laying eggs inside the spider's abdomen. The developing larvae feed on the still-living host, eventually consuming it entirely.

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#12483568

17 June 2025

A spider wasp (family Pompilidae) is seen paralyzing a large huntsman spider and attempting to drag it up a wall., on June 17, 2025. Spider wasps--also known as spider-hunting wasps--paralyze spiders with their sting before laying eggs inside the spider's abdomen. The developing larvae feed on the still-living host, eventually consuming it entirely.

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#12483571

17 June 2025

A spider wasp (family Pompilidae) is seen paralyzing a large huntsman spider and attempting to drag it up a wall., on June 17, 2025. Spider wasps--also known as spider-hunting wasps--paralyze spiders with their sting before laying eggs inside the spider's abdomen. The developing larvae feed on the still-living host, eventually consuming it entirely.

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#11545360

4 September 2024

Papilio polytes, commonly known as the Common Mormon, is a species of swallowtail butterfly widely distributed across Asia. This butterfly is renowned for the mimicry displayed by its numerous forms. The caterpillars of the Common Mormon can negatively impact crop yields. Interestingly, these caterpillars resemble bird droppings while resting on leaves, which helps them avoid predators. However, they are heavily parasitized by chalcidoid wasps, with over a hundred tiny wasps eventually emerging from each pupa. On September 4, 2024, in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, a tiny Common Mormon caterpillar was observed feeding on plant leaves, nearly camouflaged as it blended with the branches.

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#11545361

4 September 2024

Papilio polytes, commonly known as the Common Mormon, is a species of swallowtail butterfly widely distributed across Asia. This butterfly is renowned for the mimicry displayed by its numerous forms. The caterpillars of the Common Mormon can negatively impact crop yields. Interestingly, these caterpillars resemble bird droppings while resting on leaves, which helps them avoid predators. However, they are heavily parasitized by chalcidoid wasps, with over a hundred tiny wasps eventually emerging from each pupa. On September 4, 2024, in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, a tiny Common Mormon caterpillar was observed feeding on plant leaves, nearly camouflaged as it blended with the branches.

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#11545362

4 September 2024

Papilio polytes, commonly known as the Common Mormon, is a species of swallowtail butterfly widely distributed across Asia. This butterfly is renowned for the mimicry displayed by its numerous forms. The caterpillars of the Common Mormon can negatively impact crop yields. Interestingly, these caterpillars resemble bird droppings while resting on leaves, which helps them avoid predators. However, they are heavily parasitized by chalcidoid wasps, with over a hundred tiny wasps eventually emerging from each pupa. On September 4, 2024, in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, a tiny Common Mormon caterpillar was observed feeding on plant leaves, nearly camouflaged as it blended with the branches.

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#11545363

4 September 2024

Papilio polytes, commonly known as the Common Mormon, is a species of swallowtail butterfly widely distributed across Asia. This butterfly is renowned for the mimicry displayed by its numerous forms. The caterpillars of the Common Mormon can negatively impact crop yields. Interestingly, these caterpillars resemble bird droppings while resting on leaves, which helps them avoid predators. However, they are heavily parasitized by chalcidoid wasps, with over a hundred tiny wasps eventually emerging from each pupa. On September 4, 2024, in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, a tiny Common Mormon caterpillar was observed feeding on plant leaves, nearly camouflaged as it blended with the branches.

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#11360227

25 June 2024

Sceliphron, also known as black mud daubers or black mud-dauber wasps, is a genus of Hymenoptera of the Sphecidae family of wasps. They are solitary mud daubers and are building nests made of mud. Nests are frequently being constructed in shaded niches, often just inside windows or vent openings, and it may take a female only a day to construct a cell requiring dozens of trips carrying mud. Females of some species are laying a modest average of 15 eggs over their whole lifespan. Various parasites are attacking these nests, including several species of cuckoo wasps, primarily by sneaking into the nest while the resident mud dauber is out foraging. Like other solitary wasps, Sceliphron species are not being aggressive unless threatened. They are sometimes being regarded as beneficial due to their control of spider populations. This photo was taken in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on June 24, 2024.

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#11360228

25 June 2024

Sceliphron, Also Known As Black Mud Daubers Or Black Mud-dauber Wasps, Is A Genus Of Hymenoptera Of The Sphecidae Family Of Wasps. They Are Solitary Mud Daubers And Build Nests Made Of Mud. Nests Are Frequently Constructed In Shaded Niches, Often Just Inside Windows Or Vent Openings, And It May Take A Female Only A Day To Construct A Cell Requiring Dozens Of Trips Carrying Mud. Females Of Some Species Lay A Modest Average Of 15 Eggs Over Their Whole Lifespan. Various Parasites Attack These Nests, Including Several Species Of Cuckoo Wasps, Primarily By Sneaking Into The Nest While The Resident Mud Dauber Is Out Foraging. Like Other Solitary Wasps, Sceliphron Species Are Not Aggressive Unless Threatened. They Are Sometimes Regarded As Beneficial Due To Their Control Of Spider Populations. This Photo Was Taken At Tehatta, West Bengal, India, On 24/06/2024.

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#11360229

25 June 2024

Sceliphron, Also Known As Black Mud Daubers Or Black Mud-dauber Wasps, Is A Genus Of Hymenoptera Of The Sphecidae Family Of Wasps. They Are Solitary Mud Daubers And Build Nests Made Of Mud. Nests Are Frequently Constructed In Shaded Niches, Often Just Inside Windows Or Vent Openings, And It May Take A Female Only A Day To Construct A Cell Requiring Dozens Of Trips Carrying Mud. Females Of Some Species Lay A Modest Average Of 15 Eggs Over Their Whole Lifespan. Various Parasites Attack These Nests, Including Several Species Of Cuckoo Wasps, Primarily By Sneaking Into The Nest While The Resident Mud Dauber Is Out Foraging. Like Other Solitary Wasps, Sceliphron Species Are Not Aggressive Unless Threatened. They Are Sometimes Regarded As Beneficial Due To Their Control Of Spider Populations. This Photo Was Taken At Tehatta, West Bengal, India, On 24/06/2024.

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