Excaverus sp. (Ichneumonid parasitic wasp)
Excavarus sp. belong to the family Ichneumonidae within the subfamily Tryphoninae. This genus of Ichneumon wasp is characterized by their slender bodies, elongated antennae, and often cryptic coloration. The geographic range of the wasp genus Excavarus spans across various regions worldwide. These wasps are found in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The MN Bee Atlas currently could not identify Excavarus wasps to species.
Excavarus wasps look like many other Ichneumon species, and it can sometimes be hard to identify specimens to species. They are around 5 to 10mm long. Excavarus species are characterized by their slender body, elongated antennae, and typically cryptic coloration, often consisting of various shades of brown, black, and yellow. These wasps have well-developed wings with intricate venation patterns. Their relatively small size distinguishes them among other Ichneumon wasps. They are known for their agility and swift movements.
The nesting habits of Ichneumon wasps in the genus Excavarus involve parasitizing the larvae of other insects. No host emerged from the Bee Atlas nest that produced Excaverus sp.
No information at this time.
This species appears to be univoltine throughout its range, completing one generation per year in Minnesota.
No information at this time.
BugGuide. 2024. Excavarus velox (Say, 1825). Accessed May 17, 2024. Available online at: https://bugguide.net/node/view/250255.
Discover Life. 2024. "Ichneumonidae." In Proceedings of the Ecological Society of America, vol. 6. Accessed May 17, 2024. https://www.discoverlife.org/proceedings/0000/6/html/Ichneumonidae.html
Entomological Society of Saskatchewan. 2012. ESSNewsletter March 2012, Volume 31, Issue 1.
Thank you to John Luhman for identifying all of our Ichneumonid specimens.
Excaverus sp., male, Bee Atlas specimen (Photo courtesy of Thea Evans)