Wasps

Guardian Angels
from Hell

An alternative zoology exhibition, where artists and academics present virtually invisible wasps to the general public. Combining digital objects, 3D prints, interactive views, and narrative animations, the exhibition offers an insight into the life of tiny parasitoid wasps.
Chapter Indicator
Chapter 1

Under the
microscope

Calosota aestivalis

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Calosota aestivalis

Calosota aestivalis Curtis, 1836 is a variably dark greenish-blue to purple parasitoid wasp of approx. 3-5 mm belonging to the family Eupelmidae. It is a parasitoid of different beetles developing in bark, like anobiids and scolytids; however, it has also been reared from Curculionidae beetle larvae living in crops of leguminous plants. The dorsal pattern of the mesosoma is extremely delicate, giving an intense shine to the structural coloration of the wasp.Photo made by Z. László with a Samsung Galaxy A51 through an Olympus SZ51 by cca. 10 photos stacked with Adobe Photoshop CS5, enhanced by I. László with Neural Filters for Adobe Photoshop 2024.
Photograph of Calosota aestivalis

Diomorus calcaratus

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Diomorus calcaratus

Diomorus calcaratus (Nees, 1834) is a bright metallic torymid wasp with long ovipositor sheets. It is widely distributed over continental Europe being parasitoid of Sphecidae such as Ectemnius and Pemphredon in stems of Rubus and other plants. It has also been obtained from old galls of Andricus kollari, which were likely used for nesting purposes by some species of Sphecidae.Photo made by Z. László with a Samsung Galaxy A51 through an Olympus SZ51 by cca. 10 photos stacked with Adobe Photoshop CS5, enhanced by I. László with Neural Filters for Adobe Photoshop 2024.
Photograph of Diomorus calcaratus

Perilampus

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Perilampus

The genus Perilampus belongs to the chalcidoid family Perilampidae. These wasps are primarily hyperparasitoids. They are known for their metallic appearance (often blue or green), robust mesosomae, and they typically have strongly sculptured bodies. The first-instar larvae, called "planidia", gain access to hosts independently of egg-laying females. Hyperparasitoid species burrow into secondary hosts, targeting endoparasitoid larvae like tachinid flies or ichneumonoid wasps.Photo made by Z. László with a Samsung Galaxy A51 through an Olympus SZ51 by cca. 10 photos stacked with Adobe Photoshop CS5, enhanced by I. László with Neural Filters for Adobe Photoshop 2024.
Photograph of Perilampus

Torymus bedeguaris

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Torymus bedeguaris

Torymus bedeguaris (Linnaeus, 1758), a parasitoid wasp in the Torymidae family, boasts a metallic green thorax and bronzy red or greenish abdomen. Despite its small size of 2.2 to 5.3 mm (excluding its longer ovipositor), it's more than just visually striking. It preys on galls of Cynipid wasps on wild roses, depositing eggs using its long ovipositor. The hatched larvae parasitize cynipid wasp larvae. Active in spring and autumn, they're found in the Holarctic region.Photo made by Z. László with a Samsung Galaxy A51 through an Olympus SZ51 by cca. 10 photos stacked with Adobe Photoshop CS5, enhanced by I. László with Neural Filters for Adobe Photoshop 2024.
Photograph of Torymus bedeguaris

Ormyrus nitidulus

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Photograph of Ormyrus nitidulus
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Photograph of Ormyrus nitidulus

Ormyrus nitidulus

Ormyrus nitidulus (Fabricius, 1804) is a small metallic wasp, around 5 mm long, known for parasitizing oak gall wasps. It has a wide distribution spanning the Holarctic. The larvae are ectoparasitoids, primarily targeting oak gall wasps. Morphologically, Ormyrus species are identified by their metallic colors, sculptured metasoma, large hind coxae, short stigmal veins, and long metatibial spurs.Photo made by Z. László with a Samsung Galaxy A51 through an Olympus SZ51 by cca. 10 photos stacked with Adobe Photoshop CS5.
Chapter 2

Augmented reality
of Wasps

Augmented Reality (AR) redefines the way we perceive and interact with these diminutive marvels, the Chalcidoidea, which are often overlooked within the tapestry of nature, and which emerge as unsung heroes of ecological balance. Through the lens of the species Ormyrus nitidulus we invite you to contemplate the beauty that resides within this minutiae of existence. This AR O. nitidulus takes you into a realm where the boundaries between the tangible and the intangible blur, and these wasps come to life in stunning detail.
AR made by István László. Digital 3D object modeled in Zbrush. AR provided by the Vectary platform. The digital 3D object contains 353 000 polygons.
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3D wasp image render
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3D wasp image render
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3D wasp image render
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a 3D model. It is a vital step in the visualization of any digital object. These 3D renders present different points of view of the Ormyrus nitidulus wasp which was specifically created for this exhibition. The left semi-profile view depicts details of the lateral part of the mesosoma (mesopleuron), where the complex musculature beneath leaves different grows and carinae. The dorsal view shows the complex pattern of mesonotal grooves and also here the proportions of the body parts can be examined. The dorsal semi-profile view lets the viewer carefully survey the distinctive scalloped sculpturing of their metasomal tergites.
Ormyrus nitidulus 3D model was created from 36 parts, and before the AR optimization it contained 31.635.536 million polygons. The digital 3D object was modeled, detailed and rendered in Pixologic Zbrush 2021 by István László.
Chapter 3

Deadly Stories

Story 1

Dinocampus

A female braconid wasp of the species Dinocampus coccinellae skims through the undergrowth looking for a suitable host for her larvae. Suddenly, she spots a couple of seven-spottled ladybird beetles (Coccinella septempunctata), feeding on a group of aphids.
Illustration of Dinocampus by Mátyás KassayIllustration created by Mátyás Kassay.
Story 1

Dinocampus

The mature female wasp deposits a single egg in the soft underbelly of a female beetle. After the wasp larva emerges, it undergoes four larval instars inside the ladybird. Meanwhile, the ladybird continues its normal activities until the mature larva paralyzes it and tunnels out when ready to emerge. The paralysis is caused by an RNA virus used by the wasp as a biological weapon against it’s host. The larva pupates into a cocoon attached to the ladybird's legs, using the host’s appearance and twitching movements to deter predators.
Illustration of Dinocampus by Mátyás KassayIllustration created by Mátyás Kassay.
Story 1

Dinocampus

Although the cocooned wasp is vulnerable, the ladybird acts as its bodyguard, fending off potential predators. However, this protection comes at a cost, as the energy demands reduce the wasp's reproductive output. After close a week the adult wasp emerges from the cocoon, restarting the life cycle.
Illustration of Dinocampus by Mátyás KassayIllustration created by Mátyás Kassay.
Story 2

Lasiochalcidia

Antlion (Myrmeleontidae) larvae either conceal themselves under leaves, debris or pieces of wood, hiding in a crack or digging a funnel-shaped pit in loose material. As ambush predators, catching prey is risky because food arrives unpredictably and, for those species that make traps, maintaining one is costly. The larvae therefore have low metabolic rates and can survive for long periods without food. Lasiochalcidia species belong to Chalcididae, a family whose species have large hind femurs and are mostly associated as parasitoids of antlion larvae.
Illustration of Lasiochalcidia by Mátyás KassayIllustration created by Mátyás Kassay.
Story 2

Lasiochalcidia

The female parasitoid provokes the antlion larva to attack its hind legs with the powerful and deadly mandibles of the antlion larva. When the antlion grabs on, the toothed mandibles get held on by the rugate basal teeth of the hindlegs of the parasitoid. Now the parasitoid stretches the antlion’s jaws apart using its muscular legs making the predator helpless and exposing its most vulnerable and least chitinous part of its body, the ventral side of its neck. The parasitoid takes its time and carefully oviposit an egg through the antlion's exposed throat not harming any of its vital organs.
Illustration of Lasiochalcidia by Mátyás KassayIllustration created by Mátyás Kassay.
Story 2

Lasiochalcidia

After done, the parasitoid releases the helpless antlion larva from its hold and flies off. The egg will soon hatch into a larva, feeding on the antlion from the inside, until the time for metamorphosis comes. At this point the wasp will burst out from the antlion, just like in the infamous scene from the movie Alien. The fully developed wasp flies off, while the antlion is left to rot in his own death trap.
Illustration of Lasiochalcidia by Mátyás KassayIllustration created by Mátyás Kassay.
Story 3

Podagrion

A female praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) has just finished depositing her ootheca. A tiny wasp from the genus Podagrion, traveling unnoticed on the female mantis’ back until now, proceeds to immediately land on it.
Illustration of Podagrion by Mátyás KassayIllustration created by Mátyás Kassay.
Story 3

Podagrion

All species of the genus Podagrion parasitize the ootheka of mantids. These wasps are only 2-3 millimeters long, with the female supporting an ovipositor twice the length of her body. The most characteristic trait of this tiny wasp is the enlarged and serrated hind femur. Although females prefer fresh, soft ootheca, they can also deposit in old, hardened ones, even the one that they themselves have emerged from, stabbing and sawing through the hard foam with their long ovipositor.
Illustration of Podagrion by Mátyás KassayIllustration created by Mátyás Kassay.
Story 3

Podagrion

The number of adult wasps emerging from the ootheca is highly variable, from just a few to even hundreds. The first emerging wasps need to cut an opening on the side of the ootheca, while late emergers often use previously made exits. Male parasitoids emerge 1-5 days before females, and will try to wait out the arrival of the females while attempting to get rid of rival males using their strong hind feet.
Illustration of Podagrion by Mátyás KassayIllustration created by Mátyás Kassay.
Chapter 4

A drawer-sized
collection

Collecting the jewel wasps is somewhat challenging, as the tiny-sized creatures must be separated from larger insects, while bees, wasps, grasshoppers, locusts, and bugs swarm in the net. The netting is done with a special collecting net (1), whose structure allows for the collection of tiny animals mostly moving in the undergrowth. During a typical collection trip for jewel wasps, netting is followed by aspirating (2). At this point, after netting, the collector pulls the net over their head and uses an aspirator to individually extract the necessary wasps. It is advisable to sort the collected animals under a microscope (3) on the same day and even prepare the more special ones before alcohol storage. A typical collection day usually ends after midnight due to sorting and preparation.
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Specimens of chalcidoid species exhibited on various displays at the exhibition. The top part of the drawer from left to right presents Ormyrus nitidulus, a species of Brachymeria, and others. The bottom part from left to right presents Calosota vernalis and other species of Pteromalidae. Chalcidoid species are usually mounted on rectangular or triangular cards because due to their small size, they cannot be mounted by piercing with an entomological pin. Beneath these cards, where the wasps are attached, the exact place and date of collection are marked along with the collector's name, and also the taxonomic specification of the species. In cases where the host plant or organism of the parasitoid is known, this is also specified by adding an additional card.
Drawer
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The former family of chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae, has recently been separated into numerous families, which were previously at the level of subfamily. The wasps in this drawer belong to these former subfamilies, now known as Cleonymidae and Pteromalidae. In the boxes in the top row, there is Metapelma nobilis, a species visible in the microscopic images at the exhibition, belonging to the subfamily Metapelmatinae of the family Eupelmidae; the species Trigonoderus cyanescens, Gastracanthus pulcherrimus, and Trigonoderus princeps all belong to the subfamily Trigonoderinae of the family Pteromalidae. In the boxes in the bottom row, specimens of the species type Psilocera kartveli from the subfamily Pteromalinae, as well as the species Trigonoderus pedicellaris, Cleonymus brevis, and Plutothtrix bicolorata from the family Pteromalidae, can be observed. All these species are parasitoids in xylophagous beetles.
Drawer
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Chalcidoidea families. On the upper part of the drawer, wasps belonging to the families Ormyridae (left 1), Eurytomidae (left 2), and Torymidae (right 1 and 2) can be observed. These families can be considered basal from a taxonomic point of view. There are several specimens of these families, such as the protagonist of the exhibition Ormyrus nitidulus, and others like Torymus bedeguaris and Diomorus calcaratus. On the lower part of the drawer, wasps belonging to the families Chalcididae (left 1), Perilampidae (left 1), and Pteromalidae (right 1 and 2) can be observed. These families are also taxonomically basal. For example, the exhibited specimen Perilampus belongs to the family Perilampus, the species Lasiochalcidia in the comic strips belongs to the family Chalcididae.
Drawer
Chapter 5

Sculpted parasitoids

The first model of the Ormyrus nitidulus female depicts her during flight. These wasps have well-developed wings that enable them to maneuver swiftly in various environments, including dense vegetation where their hosts may be found.
3D model optimized for 3D printing from Pixologic Zbrush 2021. The model was decimated for 3D printing from 31.635.536 million polygons to 1.046 million polygons. Digital 3D object modeled by István László. Objects were printed with Prusa and Phrozen 3D printers using Phrozen resins. Slicing done with Prusa Slicer. Prints by Ionut Rus. Scale is 75:1.
The second 3D sculpture depicts a female Ormyrus nitidulus in search of a host. These tiny jewel wasps move with incredible speed (often hopping) among the oak leaves, while sniffing out developing galls.
3D model optimized for 3D printing from Pixologic Zbrush 2021. The model was decimated for 3D printing from 31.635.536 million polygons to 1.046 million polygons. Digital 3D object modeled by István László. Objects were printed with Prusa and Phrozen 3D printers using Phrozen resins. Slicing done with Prusa Slicer. Prints by Ionut Rus. Scale is 75:1.
The third model depicts the female Ormyrus nitidulus during the act of ovipositing. After locating the host hidden within its gall, the wasp deploys its ovipositor. This organ acts as a highly precise tool used to penetrate plant tissues in order to deposit the eggs inside the helpless host larva.
3D model optimized for 3D printing from Pixologic Zbrush 2021. The model was decimated for 3D printing from 31.635.536 million polygons to 1.046 million polygons. Digital 3D object modeled by István László. Objects were printed with Prusa and Phrozen 3D printers using Phrozen resins. Slicing done with Prusa Slicer. Prints by Ionut Rus. Scale is 75:1.
Chapter 6

Biodiversity

Metapelma nobile

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Metapelma nobile

This wasp with the ovipositor is the female of the species Metapelma nobile (Förster, 1860), which belongs to the parasitoid wasp family Eupelmidae. The diurnal females parasitize wood-borer longhorn beetle larvae. There is not enough knowledge to explain the use of the dilated hind tibiae. Photo made by Z. László with a Samsung Galaxy A51 through an Olympus SZ51 by cca. 10 photos stacked with Adobe Photoshop CS5, enhanced by I. László with Neural Filters for Adobe Photoshop 2024.
Metapelma nobile

Heydenia pretiosa

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Heydenia pretiosa

This wasp is the male of the species Heydenia pretiosa Förster, 1856, which belongs to the family Pteromalidae. These jewel wasps are parasitoids of bark beetles. There is not much knowledge regarding the dilated anterior tibia of this species either.Photo made by Z. László with a Samsung Galaxy A51 through an Olympus SZ51 by cca. 10 photos stacked with Adobe Photoshop CS5, enhanced by I. László with Neural Filters for Adobe Photoshop 2024.
Hydenia pretiosa

Glyphomerus aylax

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Glyphomerus aylax

Glyphomerus aylax is a primary, solitary, ectophagous parasitoid of Aylax hypecoi, subject to secondary parasitism by other species. It has at least two generations per year, with adults emerging between March and June from previous year's galls, and between May and August from galls grown in May and June of the same year.Photo made by Z. László with a Samsung Galaxy A51 through an Olympus SZ51 by cca. 10 photos stacked with Adobe Photoshop CS5, enhanced by I. László with Neural Filters for Adobe Photoshop 2024.
Glyphomerus aylax

Leucospis dorsigera

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Leucospis dorsigera

Leucospis dorsigera is a yellow-striped species, resembling a yellowjacket, with folded forewings, reaching 10–12 mm. Females have a short metasoma with an upturned ovipositor; males have fused metasomal segments forming a "carapace." They mainly feed on nectar and pollen and parasitize aculeate wasps or bees.Photo made by Z. László with a Samsung Galaxy A51 through an Olympus SZ51 by cca. 10 photos stacked with Adobe Photoshop CS5, enhanced by I. László with Neural Filters for Adobe Photoshop 2024.
Leucospis dorsigera

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