Categories
IchneumonsWhat’s this bug
I spotted this bug soon after I cut a limb of a large maple tree. I’ve never seen anything like it before. What is it? Thanks,
Bob
hi Bob,
This is a female Giant Ichneumon, Megarhyssa atrata. She is ovipositing or laying eggs. She locates the tunnel of a wood boring insect and lays the egg where her larva can find the wood boring grub and begin to feed on it. Your photos are excellent. The portrait is a nice angle.
I like ThisRelated Posts
-
(05/13/2007)Giant Ichneumon Ovipositing -
(03/10/2006)Giant Ichneumon -
(08/12/2009)Giant Ichneumon -
(07/27/2011)Giant Ichneumon Ovipositing
Trackbacks & Pingbacks 1
[...] larvae of the Pigeon Horntail, Tremex columba (see BugGuide), and we frequently receive images of female Giant Ichneumons drilling into stumps. You may read more about Megarhyssa atrata in our own archive and on BugGuide. BugGuide [...]
Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.