Identification
A small black wasp about 3/8 inch in length. The wings have a metallic blue tint. The forewing has a rectangular shaped tawny-colored spot about mid-wing. Females have a thread-like black ovipositor about as long as the abdomen.
This species is probably rare. It only flies in late summer. Two individuals were photographed on 8/15/08 resting on vegetation in Fontenelle Forest.
These small wasps are parasites of the larvae of wood-boring beetles and Sawflies. Adults are usually found around logs. There is nothing known about the larva, mating behavior or the adult food sources of this species. There are 22 known species in the genus Pristaulacus in North America.
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.