Ichneumon wasps, also known as Darwin wasps, are a fascinating family of parasitoid wasps within the insect order Hymenoptera. This elegant, slender individual most likely belongs to the genus Enicospilus, a large and widespread group of nocturnal ichneumon wasps in the subfamily Ophioninae. Although their life cycle may sound dramatic, these wasps are completely harmless to humans. They are active at night and are often drawn to porch lights. In nature, however, they play an important role as natural biological control agents. Females lay their eggs inside or on the larvae of moths and butterflies, and once the wasp larvae hatch, they slowly develop by feeding on the caterpillar host from within. I encountered this beautiful wasp in the protected forest of “La Perla”, an inspiring private conservation initiative dedicated to preserving what remains of the rainforest along Ecuador’s coast.