Wasp Exploring My Cactus Plants

in #nature7 years ago (edited)

I noticed this wasp roaming about my cacti exploring all the nooks and crannies. The wasp is the Cream-spotted Ichneumon, Echthromorpha intricatoria. These are good to have in the garden as they are parasitoids of the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). They lay their eggs in the pupae of these insects. This one appeared to be ovipositing (egg laying) despite the absence of any pupae. Until I find out otherwise, I will have to assume it was simply using it's ovipositor to feel about, in search of potential hosts.

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( All photos, videos, and text on this blog are by @mostly.nature)

Insects Hymenoptera Echthromorpha intricatoria BY Tas 2018-04-09. n3.jpg

Insects Hymenoptera Echthromorpha intricatoria BY Tas 2018-04-09. n2.jpg

Insects Hymenoptera Echthromorpha intricatoria BY Tas 2018-04-09. n1.jpg

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It really nice.

Glad you liked it.

the 2nd photo is stunning!

Thanks for visiting. Glad you liked the photo.

These are good to have in the garden as they are parasitoids of the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies)

What? You infidel! 8-)

Ha ha! Well I have two minds about that. I love most butterflies and moths but we get plague proportions of diamond-back moths and Cabbage white butterflies, both of which attack my broccoli and cabbages. Perhaps I could train the wasps to be more selective :-)

Beautiful creature!

Great photos and i really like the info you bring to us about them.

Hello mostly.nature,

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Vibrant shots!

Great photos we have a lot of common interest.

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