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Photo#297958
wasp with Syrphid - Ectemnius

wasp with Syrphid - Ectemnius
Presqu'ile Prov Park, Brighton, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada
June 30, 2009
Size: 1.2 cm approx.
Perhaps an Ectemnius sp of wasp. What is interesting is it appears to have taken a syrphid fly as prey to stock a larder?? From my limited knowledge it seems strange that it is holding the fly so far back, with its back and maybe middle legs rather than by the mandibles. It landed on my leg and I was not sure what I was looking at. It seemed to be a strange elongate wasp. I had my camera in hand and just reached down and took some photos. It was only after it flew away that I could look at the photos and see it was two different creatures. Anyone know about syrphid preying wasps?

Images of this individual: tag all
wasp with Syrphid - Ectemnius wasp with Syrphid - Ectemnius

Ectemnius lapidarius or ruficornis
Good shot! Yes, all Ectemnius prey on flies. Some species regularly take syrphids, usually a readily available prey. See also here, possibly the same species:

Opportunistic fly-hunter
This is probably a species of Ectemnius, though certainly in that tribe if not that genus. They are probably pretty opportunistic predators, taking different kinds of flies to store (paralyzed) as food for their larval offspring. The adult wasps feed on nectar.

 
Thanks
Thanks for your info

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