The yellow-banded ichneumon wasp (Echthromorpha agrestoria) is a striking, medium-sized (2 cm) insect belonging to a highly adaptable and globally widespread genus of parasitic wasps. Ichneumons are often famously referred to as “Darwin wasps”—so named because their gruesome habit of devouring caterpillars from the inside out while the hosts are still alive famously caused Charles Darwin to doubt that a benevolent God could design such a creature. Found across numerous regions worldwide, the adults feed harmlessly on plant nectar. Their larvae, however, are formidable parasitoids that consume moth caterpillars and pupae, effectively killing their hosts and making the species a highly valued natural pest-control agent. I was lucky enough to spot a gorgeous specimen of this wasp on a bright, sunny day while walking through the Okinawa Peace Memorial Park.