Domestic entomology

I was surprised to find this elegant insect on the kitchen waste container, first thing in the morning. Easily recognizable as an ichneumon wasp from its slender, indeed wasp-waisted, body structure. I took the bin outside so it could fly off and find its prey. Not to eat but to parasitize. These stingless wasps lay their eggs in the larvae of other insects, first paralysing them so that their own larvae will have a food store waiting when they emerge. 

There are numerous species of ichneumons. I tentatively identified this one as a female Ichneumon stramentor but someone may correct me. If it is,  its victim will be a moth larva.  Some species  of ichneumons  prey on wood-boring beetle larva deep inside rotten trees. They use their antennae to detect the presence of the grub and extend their inordinately long, coiled up ovipositor (egg-laying tube) to bore down through the wood to reach the grub, inject it and then insert the egg.

You can watch the process here but Parental Guidance!  it may give you nightmares.