Ichneumon parasitising Leaf Cutter Bee Larvae

[Jim Ford]

While the wasp was moving over the log looking for bee nests, it kept flicking its wings (I'd seen this before on another type of ichneumon and wonder why they do it. Maybe it's to confuse potential predators?). When the wasp found a likely hole it paused at it for some time, keeping still. I wonder if it was listening for the larva feeding below?

You can see the ovipositor sheath bent out of the way and the thin ovipositor inserted into the bee nest.









Jim

[Geoff F]

That is a very interesting series of photos.

[Africa]

Fascinating observations and shots Jim!