Cockroach Wasp – 9/3/19

Observer: Gaurav Shah

Observation Date: 9/3/2019

Observation Time:  N/A

Observation Location: Borderland State Park, Northwest Trail

Common Name: Cockroach Wasp

Scientific Name: Dolichurus cf. bicolor

Comments: There are no existing records of this genus in the country in iNaturalist, and only one in BugGuide (which was in Arkansas).  This species has one of the most remarkable adaptations in all of nature: they are able to remove the cockroach’s ability to choose to flee, without removing the cockroach’s ability to move, effectively turning it into a zombie that they can lead around.

More information: https://bugguide.net/node/view/22211