Weirder than sci-fi

The ichneumons, a type of wasp, are parasitoids. They lay their eggs inside caterpillars so that the larvae will eat the creature from the inside as they develop. This is an amblyteles armatorius that was trapped inside my office window. It looks as though it's suspended in space, though it's actually resting on the glass. Hard to tell how it actually holds on. I think that insects like this must inspire sci-fi illustrators. Look at its chunky thighs and the narrow link between the thorax and the abdomen. It's not beautiful, but it is fascinating.

Click here to see another ichneumon, a clearer shot of a red one, or here to see a black and pale yellow one.