The Thread-Waisted Wasp (Ammophila procera) has such a tiny waist that many people could only dream of having! These wasps can be found throughout the U.S, Southern Canada, and Mexico. You may notice the rather large and sharp mandibles that this wasp is equipped with. During mating, the males of this species will latch onto the back of the femaleβs head while holding onto her body with his long slender legs. This particular one that Iβm holding is a female. The females on the other hand use their large mandibles in a much different manner. After mating, female Thread-Waisted Wasps begin to dig out a burrow in moist sandy-like soil. After that, they fly out in search of a caterpillar. Once a female comes in contact with one, the female wasp begins to sting the caterpillar. The venomous sting doesnβt kill the caterpillar, but instead completely paralyzes the caterpillarβs body! The female then flies the paralyzed caterpillar back to her underground burrow using her large mandibles to hold it. Once underground, the female lays a single egg on the caterpillar. Within about 2 days, the egg hatches and the tiny Thread-Waisted Wasp larva immediately begins to feast on the paralyzed caterpillar. Within about 5 days, the larva will have consumed nearly the entire body of the caterpillar. After nearly eating the whole of its victim, the larva then pupates and eventually emerges out of its burrow as an adult wasp! *Hand drawn stickers added to my storeβs website for purchase via link in bio! β£ Pleases subscribe to my YouTube channel if vor cies is haven't already by clicking the rocera, Instagram icon in my bio! Or, by simply searching my channel name: "Kelvinwiley." β£ β£ #Jesus #God #ammophilaprocera #entomology #threadwaistedwasp #spiders #hymenoptera #insects #invertebrates #arthropods #wasps #bugs #arachnids #caterpillars #venomous #tarantulas #tarantulasofinstagram