Kauaian Rasp Wasp (Euodynerus radula)

This species is considered the first scientifically described insect species from the Hawaiian Islands, as the first specimen was collected on the day of Cook’s landing on the island of Kaua’i on January 21, 1778.The Kauaian Rasp Wasp did not build its own nesting tubes but instead took over existing burrows into which it introduced micro butterfly caterpillars as food for its larvae.

The species was apparently last seen in 1925 and is now very likely extinct.

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syn. Odynerus radula (Fabricius)

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References:

[1] James M. Carpenter: Review of Hawaiian Vespidae (Hymenoptera). Bishop Occasional Papers 99: 1-18 2008

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edited: 11.02.2024