August 19, 2025

A remarkable insect resembling a Common Thread-waisted Wasp (Ammophila procera), but BIG! This is an insect that is difficult to find anything about, there’s very little out there. It doesn’t even have a common name.

Say, “Hello!” to Thyreodon atricolor. That’s its scientific name. It was quite active as I tried to get a picture. I didn’t have time to put something beside it for scale, but it really struck me that this is an insect that is quite large, perhaps 1.5 inches long. It has a black body, four black wings, and orange antennae.

The larval host of Thyreodon atricolor are caterpillars of Sphinx Moths. As adults it is believed they might feed on nectar, plant sap and honeydew. And perhaps decaying vegetable and animal matter. 

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