This week brings a parasitic wasp, Tetrabaeus americanus, that kills other wasps. Females of some species of predatory wasps (Crabronidae) hollow out the pith of sumac twigs to create empty cells. The predatory wasp females then lay eggs in these cells and pack them with prey items for their larval offspring to eat. Tiny females of Tetrabaeus americanus lay eggs inside these much larger larvae that, upon hatching, will consume the innards of their host.
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