The abdomen of a Hatchet wasp, Evaniidae sp. (family), is quite flat on each side, being compressed laterally, and resembles a hatchet or flag. When moving around the wasp jerks the abdomen up and down constantly. It is a parasitic wasp and the female lays her eggs into the freshly laid egg cases of cockroaches. The egg cases are known as oothecae and one egg is laid for each ootheca. When the wasp egg hatches the larvae eats the cockroach eggs and then pupates, later emerging as an adult. The adults feed on flower nectar.
Evaniidae (family) is listed in the following regions:
Canberra & Southern Tablelands | Greater Sydney