Ensign Wasp

Commonly found in and around human buildings, particularly in urban areas where cockroaches are present.

Adults feed on plant nectar and honeydew; the larvae are predators that eat the eggs of cockroaches.

They are easily identified by their small, flag-like abdomen which they bob up and down while walking. They are solitary and seek out cockroach egg cases (oothecae) to lay a single egg inside.

Highly beneficial to humans as they act as a natural biological control for cockroach populations; they do not sting or bite humans or pets and are completely harmless.