Flower wasps
Large solitary wasps of the family Tyranids almost always parasitize various beetle larvae, especially those belonging to the superfamily Scarabiidea. Members of this family have previously been included in the family Typhus, although several studies have now independently established that Tinidae represents a separate lineage. Although they are small in most species, they can reach up to 30mm in length. Some subfamilies have wingless females that feed on mole crickets or beetle larvae. The female wasp’s sting paralyzes the victim, and she then lays an egg on it to provide the larva with a convenient source of nutrition. Males are taller than females in species where both sexes have wings, although they are much more slender. However, males of species with wingless females are usually much larger and have wings; Adults mate in the air, carried by the genitals of the male to the female. Adults are small pollinators and feed on nectar. Some of these wasps are thought to be useful as biological control agents because some of the soil-dwelling thyroid beetle species are target pests.
Appearance:
Flower wasps are large, solitary, and often have brightly colored or metallic markings. Adult wasps feed on nectar. They are active pollinators of native plants and are often seen traveling among flowers in mid to late summer.
Life Cycle:
The females of many species of flower wasps are wingless (e.g., the blue ant). In these species, mating occurs when a male wasp carries a female wasp during flight. Some males aggressively push the wingless females towards or feed on edible plants. The female wasp has the ability to sting when provoked. Unlike social species of bees, ants, or wasps, flower wasps are solitary insects and do not harm people to the same extent.
On the other hand, wasps can sting multiple times and do not run out after that, unlike bees. Bites cause burning pain and swelling. Multiple chains can cause a more serious systemic reaction. Wasp, bee, and ant stings can sometimes cause an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), but this is not common. There is an effective therapy that involves carrying special equipment outside for people known to be allergic to bee, ant, or wasp stings. Desensitization or immunotherapy are other options that help reduce the intensity of the allergy.
Habitat:
Flower wasps can be found in urban gardens, as well as woodlands, woodlands, and heathlands. In Australia, wasps can be found everywhere. Female flower wasps scratch the ground to find beetle larvae and other insects in the soil. The wasp finds a larva, lays an egg in it, and is then eaten by the growing wasp larva. Adult wasps feed on nectar.