Although all wasps have a characteristically narrow ‘waist’, Thread-waisted Wasps carry it to the extreme with very exaggerated threadlike waists. These large wasps are up to 30mm (1 ¼ in.) long, and extremely slender and long-legged. They are typically black with red on the abdomen.
You might spot any of the 12 or so species that reside in Alberta at flowers or more likely, hunting for caterpillars. The caterpillar is stung and then carried away to a small burrow that the wasp has prepared in advance. The paralyzed caterpillar is placed in the burrow and then the wasp lays an egg on it. The tunnel is then closed up. When the larval wasp hatches, the hapless caterpillar is consumed.
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PAUL FINKLEMAN
for serving as the society's ADOPT-A-PARK COORDINATOR this year
KEN OAKES
for serving 7 consecutive years on the society's Board