Great Black Wasp
These are among my favourite insects. What's not to love? They're beautiful- just look at those iridescent wings! They're wonderful pollinators, flying elegantly from flower to flower, drinking nectar. They are solo acts- no hive mentality here. And though they can sting you, they won't- unless you really deserve it!
#natgeo #natgeonature #arthropod #insekt #arthropod #wasps #greatblackwasp #nature #wildlife #insects #macrophotography #macro #butterflyphotography #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #macro_brilliance #insectphotography #macrofotografie

A great black wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus) feeding at and pollinating Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa).

Adults are pollinators but paralyze other insects with their venom and bring them to the nest for their larva to feed on.

Interestingly, they are victims of kleptoparasitism, in which birds observing them, often steal their prey.

#greatblackwasp #sphexpensylvanicus #parasiticwasps