Cuckoo wasps

By Rudy Mancke

Published July 12, 2023 at 4:21 AM EDT

A cuckoo wasp from coastal South Carolina.

Cuckoo wasps are a family of parasitic wasps with often brilliant metallic colored bodies. Similar to cuckoo birds, these wasps lay their eggs in the nests of other bee species. When the cuckoo wasp larva hatches, it eats the other bee larvae and food stored in the nest.

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Rudy Mancke

Rudy Mancke served as naturalist and co-host of South Carolina ETV's <i>NatureScene</i>, which began its long run in 1978. His field trips, broadcast nationwide, earned him a legion of dedicated viewers. Rudy's knowledge of the complex inner-workings of different ecosystems and his great admiration for the natural world make him the perfect guide. In fact, the National Wildlife Federation and the Garden Club of America honored his commitment to resource conservation with special awards. After retiring from SCETV, Rudy went on to become naturalist-in-residence at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. He hosted SC Public Radio's <i>NatureNotes</i> from 1999 until his death in 2023 at age 78.

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