Comments on: Ichneumon Wasp

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:36:11 +0000

The only other insect that I have seen on the tree looks like a potato bug (sow bug). I[‘ve read that they are not a serious threat either as they do not damage the wood. Could this be what the Ichneumon Wasp is feeding on?

By: bugman

bugman — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:28:58 +0000

hi Lisa,
The Giant Ichneumon is a parasitic predator. The larvae parasitize wood boring insects like the Pigeon Horntail. The Giant Ichneumon is not a problem, but its presence is symptomatic of another potentially harmful insect boring in the wood.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:36:28 +0000

Hello,
I have an issue that I hope you can help me with. I have a large maple tree (seemingly healthy) that is being visited by the Ichneumon Wasp. There are many holes in the base of the trunk (about two – three feet from the base) which is the apparently the result of the adult cutting a circular exit hole when it leaves the tree. The information I[‘ve found indicates that the Ichneumon Wasp is not considered a serious pest since attacks are limited to trees or individual limbs that are in serious decline or very recently dead. Again, my tree does not show any obvious signs of disease nor does is show any signs of dying.
My questions are:
(1) Once the larvae become full grown what type of damage do they do once they exit the trunk and how can I prevent it?
(2) What type of damage have they caused inside the trunk of the tree and is this repairable?
I don’t want to loose this tree so am hoping that you can help. Thank you.