Megischus texanus ♂️

 

The Texas Crown Wasp is a rare species of parasitoid wasp in the family Stephanidae, characterized by a "crown" of five spike-like tubercles on its head and a long ovipositor. Females, which can reach up to 40 millimetres in length, are parasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae, utilizing their long ovipositor to lay eggs. This wasp is known for its long, slender antennae (30 or more segments), a distinctly "crowned" head, and a very long ovipositor, sometimes with a white band near the tip. The individual pictured above is male, therefore lacks an ovipositor. As a parasitoid wasp, it primarily targets larvae of wood-boring beetles, such as Buprestidae (jewel beetles), Cerambycidae (longhorned beetles), and Curculionidae (true weevils) found in trees. They are mostly found in forested areas. While the family Stephanidae is found globally, M. texanus is specifically documented in the United States, including Texas and Arizona. These wasps are generally rarely observed because they inhabit forests, often searching for hosts on dead or dying trees. Adult parasitoid wasps often feed on nectar, particularly from plants in the Apiaceae (carrot) family.