04/18/2022

DIGGER WASPS

The 'digger' wasp and it's larger cousin, the tarantula hawk, are predatory insects. They eat bugs. They use other insects to accomplish their breeding. Here's how:

The female digger wasp looks for a suitable insect. When she finds one she lands on it, and stings it. The sting does not kill the bug. It is paralyzed, instead.

Then she uses her ovipositor to place an egg, down between the plates of the bug's exoskeleton. She digs a hole (thus the name) and puts the bug she stung in it. She covers it up, then leaves.

The poor bug is eaten alive by her larvae. When all nutrients are consumed the young wasp emerges, to complete the cycle.

You need to be aware that a similar predator exists, that preys upon humans. It's 'modus operandi' (way of breeding) is exactly the same. That predator has a name. That name is HATE.