Ichneumon Wasp (Two Photographs)

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This is a rather elegant looking beast as insects go. There are 24,000 species in the Ichneumonidae family of wasps. Its relative good looks hides the fact that its young are parasites for other insects that they kill (and hence their value to farmers and agriculture). What is interesting in these two photographs is that they show this insect in two different poses, one more aggressive and the other more delicate. While I prefer portraits these photos do make for different perspectives when viewing this animal. For the record, the Missouri Department of Conservation assures us they are harmless to humans.