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Methocha Wasp - Tiphiidae methocha
Photo by Erik Oberg
USA: Wyoming, Park County
Yellowstone NP, Wash N1
Ele. 2260m Pitfall Trap
11-23 August, E. Oberg
Prey Becomes Predator - Methocha Wasp
This Methocha ant mimic certainly proves that appearances can be deceiving. Despite looking like an ant, this organism is actually a wasp. It uses its appearance to disguise itself as its targets favorite prey, deceiving the ant-eating tiger beetle larva. The Typhiid wasp enters the burrow of the tiger beetle larva, and is quickly caught in the predator’s mandibles. But due to its thin body, the wasp escapes being crushed and delivers a paralyzing sting to the beetle. After the beetle is immobilized, the wasp drags the larvae back into its own burrow where it lays an egg on the still living tiger beetle. After depositing its egg, it seals the entrance to the burrow, leaving the egg to develop and the young to eat the paralyzed larvae. Original public domain image from Flickr
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