Crabronidae-parasite
Guides
Macrosiagon limbata
Bordered Wedge-shaped Beetle
Macrosiagon limbata is a wedge-shaped beetle in the family Ripiphoridae, first described by Fabricius in 1781. Adults are active in summer and found on flowers, particularly elderberries and goldenrod. The species undergoes hypermetamorphosis, with larvae serving as internal parasitoids of Crabronidae wasps. Females deposit eggs on flowers visited by bees and other hymenopterans, where first-instar planidia attach to hosts for transport to nests.
Senotainia trilineata
Three-lined satellite fly
Senotainia trilineata is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It is a kleptoparasitic fly that targets the nests of solitary wasps, particularly species in the families Crabronidae and Sphecidae. The female fly deposits live larvae (larviposits) on or near paralyzed prey being transported by host wasps, or directly at nest entrances. The fly larvae then consume the provisioned prey intended for the wasp's offspring. This species has been documented as a parasite of multiple wasp genera including Ammophila, Cerceris, Hoplisoides, and Aphilanthops, and has also been recorded parasitizing the jewel beetle Phaenops vandykei.