Ichneumon Wasp (Short-tailed)

Fields, forests, and gardens, often attracted to artificial lights at night

Adults feed on nectar and honeydew; larvae are internal parasitoids of caterpillars

Night-active insects that use their long antennae to locate hosts; females lay eggs inside the bodies of caterpillars while they are still alive

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pest caterpillar populations; they are generally harmless to humans, though females can deliver a weak, needle-like poke if handled roughly