Overview
Ampulicids ( cockroach wasps) are ectoparasitoids of adult and nymphal cockroaches (Blattodea), with females often foraging in leaf litter for hosts. They sting and partly paralyse the cockroach which is then dragged or herded to a concealed place where an egg is laid on it. One species has been observed to lead a cockroach host by one of its antennae to a suitable oviposition location. When the egg hatches the larva feeds upon the immobilised, still-fresh cockroach.
Description
The Ampulicidae are a small, primarily tropical family with 14 species described for Australia. They are absent from New Zealand. The family is characterised by their small to moderate size (4 - 14mm), very deep and complete notauli, mid tibia with two spurs, and jugal lobe of the hind wing small or absent.
Further information about the Ampulicidae can be found in Libersat 2003, Melo 1999, Ohl 2002 and Reik 1954.