wasps at light

[James J. Kruse]

Almost everywhere I go I attract Ophion spp. (Ichneumonidae,
short-"tailed" orange wasps) to both UV and MV. I am pretty sure they
come for the light and not the food, though I do get interesting
predatory critters of more than one phylum that want my catch. These
Ophion wasps are not aggressive, but will sting when they end up between
your shirt and your body! I've unintentionally reared a few that chewed
their way out of moth pupae/cocoons.

Cheers!
Jim Kruse
University of California at Berkeley
Dept. of Environ Sci, Policy and Mgmt.
Div. of Insect Biology
201 Wellman Hall
Berkeley, California, 94720-3112
Voice: (510) 642-7410    Fax: (510) 642-7428
http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/sperlinglab/kruse.html