Thynnid Wasps
What are they?
An interesting group of wasps that are solitary and build no nest; instead, they dig for the soil-dwelling larvae of various scarab beetles, upon which they lay their eggs and the beetle larvae are parasitized by the wasp larvae. In some species, the females are wingless. Males of some species have a 'pseudo-sting' at the tip of the abdomen.
Identification
Many species are impossible to identify with certainty in the field, but one or two more distinctive species can be identified by attention to markings on the thorax and abdomen.
Five-banded Thynnid Wasp Myzinum quinquecinctum
A fairly common species, seen in grassy places during the summer months and often nectaring at flowers. Males can sometimes be found gathered together in congregations.
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