Females can be up to 2 1/2 inches in length. This wasp has a shiny black abdomen, clear wings and long, slender antennae. Females have very long hind legs with enlarged tibia and an elongated, cylindrical abdomen that is 5 times the length of the rest of the body. Males are much smaller than females with a short abdomen swollen at the end. Hind wings of both sexes are short, only 1/3 the length of the forewings.
This wasp is uncommon in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods in August , September and early October. Females are usually seen sitting on vegetation in sunny openings. Males are rare.
The female lays an egg on the larva of scarab beetles (usually June Beetles) in soil or rotting wood. The Pelecinid larva devours the beetle larva from inside as it develops into a wasp. These wasps are apparently parthenogenic (females do not require fertilization by males to reproduce) in North America. This is the only species in the genus north of Mexico.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.