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Photo#518066
Wasp & Katydid - Isodontia apicalis

Wasp & Katydid - Isodontia apicalis
Baton Rouge - BREC Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, USA
May 16, 2011
THIS IS PHOTO 3)

With lots of buzzing these "bugs" dropped to the ground near me.
After a few seconds, I realized what was happening and started shooting.
From the time they crumpled to the ground to when the wasp carried off it's victim (I think it is a katydid nymph??) was about 4 minutes. I will include 4 photos.
Is there enough detail to ID the Wasp?

1) Either the wasp stung the victim several times or spent time finding a place to penetrate. Note that in this shot, it seems to have found a vulnerable area at a leg joint.

2) (about 10 seconds later than Photo 1) The katydid seems to be fighting back. I think it is trying to bite the butt end of the wasp.

3) (about 135 seconds after Photo 1) The wasp seemed to be biting the victim and trying to position it to carry it off. Note that the long antenna of the victim have been bitten off (or broken off?).

4) (about 210 seconds after Photo 1) The wasp seems to have it orient in the position and direct it wants. Did it even drag it to a "launching pad (the leaf)? Soon after it laboriously took off and seemed struggle to gain altitude, but managed to fly out of sight.

John

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Wasp & Katydid - Isodontia apicalis Wasp & Katydid - Isodontia apicalis Wasp & Katydid - Isodontia apicalis Wasp & Katydid - Isodontia apicalis

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