#astatinae

[lithobatess]

wasp posting wednesday!!!

The first individual of my new wednesday schedule is a rather uncommon Astata sp, (possibly Astata nubecula) a solitary wasp in the family astatinae that mainly predates on stink bugs and shield bugs. Their most noticeable feature is found in the males who have very large compound eyes that almost wrap around the head, meeting together at the top! This feature almost reminds me of dragonflies. (you might have to zoom in to fully see it!)

> browse more images of this lovely species on bugguide.net!

[dendroica]

Astata unicolor (by me)

I initially thought this was a fly mimicking a bee, but it turned out to be a wasp instead. Male wasps in genus Astata are unusual in having their eyes meet on the tops of their heads. They often perch on top of dead plants, as this one is doing.