DID YOU KNOW THAT PELECINUS POLYTURATOR IS PARTHENOGENIC?
Perhaps that is why I have never seen a male.
The American Pelecinid Wasp (Pelecinus polyturator) is one very interesting creature. First off, just look at the thing! A sleek, slender black wasp with a fantastic tail. I grew up seeing these periodically throughout the summers in the backyard of @grandpa-pepper. In fact, that is where I found this one on my latest trip to Wisconsin.
PAPA, WHAT DOES "PARTHENOGENIC" MEAN?
I'm glad that you asked. "Parthenogenic" means that the female of the species does not need her eggs to be fertilized by a male of the species in order to reproduce. Don't ask me how that works, but it sure does!
The American Pelecinid Wasp can be found throughout North, Central, and South America, but males of the species are very rare in Canada and the United States. I've never even seen one!
WHAT ABOUT THAT LONG TAIL?
The long "tail" is actually the abdomen of the insect. The females have a particularly long abdomen for a specific purpose. Their young are parasitic, and host on the grubs of beetles. However the grubs live underground. This long tail is used to insert the eggs on the grubs, which are beneath the surface.
The female will use her long tail to poke into the earth until she locates a grub. When she finds a grub, she will lay one egg on each grub. When the egg hatches, the larva will crawl into the grub that it was laid on and feed upon it as it develops.
WEREN'T YOU AFRAID THAT IS WAS GOING TO STING YOU?
This was actually the first time that I ever let one sit on my hand. Interestingly enough, it is claimed that these wasps cannot sting you for they have no stinger!
I know that it looks like a super-nasty wasp with a terrible sting, but such is not the case. In fact, unless you are a grub, you probably don't have anything to worry about.
Though the larvae of this peculiar wasp feed on grubs, the adults feast upon plant nectar. Perhaps you've even seen some flying around your yard.
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-parthenogenic-pelecinus-polyturator
Until next time…
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hi @papa-pepper, you are very cruel, always you make me crazy with pictures and post you friend, i like it.
share friends permission
thx for sharing
Such great animal and thank you mr @papa-pepper for this educational post.
We can learn a lot of new things from your posts every-day.
Thank you for being such an important part of this community!
Thank you for yor kind words man. I appreciate that.
OMG, You hold it in your hand @papa-pepper Is not it dangerous?
Amazing @papa-pepper i like your post. .
👏👏👏
Where is my EpiPen??!!?
Seriously though, what if she decides I am a grub after all Yikes.
LOL!
😱😱
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Very good post . Thankyou for sharing
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Its abdomen looks like spider's feet, isn't it? Weird but fascinating...