Skip to main content
Today is World Environment Day!
Close

Ichneumon wasp (female)

Ceratogastra ornata

Photo by Aaron_G
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

36.7473, -95.9808

Field Notes

Description:

I saw several of these small wasps ovipositing into these plants. Unfortunately, I don't know the ID of the plant. :-(

Habitat:

Mixed prairie

Reference Links:

Species Ceratogastra ornata - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

ichneumon wasp

Ceratogastra ornata

Reference Link
BugEric
1

Comments (7)
Aaron_G
Thanks, Eric! This is the info I was hoping for. :-)
BugEric
Ok, I learned that the female wasps of this species are ovipositing in eggs or caterpillars of moths that lay their eggs in flower buds. The caterpillars eventually become cutworms. More here in the blog post I just published: http://bugeric.blogspot.com/2013/12/ichneumon-wasp-ceratogastra-ornata.html
stho002
Ok, and the plant looks like genus Ambrosia, but the wasp is presumably not phytophagous, so what is the host??
Aaron_G
Thanks a bunch! I just knew you'd have the info for me. :-)
BugEric
Yes, she is ovipositing....on just what I have non idea.
Aaron_G
My guess is oviposition. (?) I saw 3 different wasps eliciting this behavior on the same species of plant.
stho002
I am a little bit confused by this wasp and what it is doing ..

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
BioBlitz! Oklahoma
Mission
Global Flight
Mission
Nature in Yellow
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 28, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies