Square-headed Wasp (Crabronid, Crabro sp.), male with eye shields on front legs.
Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park, British Columbia, Canada.
June 27, 2010.
Some resources claim those shields are used in burrow excavation, but only the males have shields--they don't dig burrows. Only females dig burrows.
The shields are held over the female's eyes during mating. Other male insects also do this with enlarged front legs. I've seen some species of Robber Fly and Leaf Beetle do similarly. My assumption is they use them like blinkers or blinders on a horse. In this case, cover the female's eyes so they aren't spooked or distracted and suddenly fly away.
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