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Giant Wood Wasp

Posted by bugman August 11th, 2009 at 12:16 am

Categories

Horntails, Wood Wasps and Sawflies

Can you tell me what kind of bug this is?
August 10, 2009
Just got back from a camping trip in Teller County Colorado and this bug landed on my leg. I have searched high and low on the web for pics of this insect.
Please help, Thanks Jon and Family
Colorado

giant wood wasp jon 253x300 Giant Wood Wasp

Giant Wood Wasp

Dear Jon and Family,
This is a Giant Wood Wasp, Urocerus gigas.  It is also called the Greater Horntail Wasp or the  Yellow Horned Horntail.  According to BugGuide:  “Range Introduced, originally from Europe and Asia.  Habitat  Attacks five or more genera of Pinaceae  Remarks  It tunnels in wood. One of the most dangerous pests of conifers.“ We will be tagging your post as an Invasive Exotic.

Correction:  August 12, 2009
Not an invasive exotic wood wasp
Daniel
I was certain that U. gigas the exotic form has yet to be established here in the US.  Upon discussion with our entomologist he is positive it is Urocerus gigas flavicornis (Fabricius) which is a native subspecies.  Colorado is just one of the states that it can be found.   You had me worried there for a minute.  Our cups runith over with exotics as it is like Sirex noctillio.  Great work as always and glad to see you folks have links to get in touch with the proper agencies that handle exotic invasive pests.  I encourage your readers to become aware of exotic invasive pests, report new finds and help protect our resources.
Can’t wait to see your book
Thanks
Brian
Brian.Sullivan@aphis.usda.gov

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Comments 5

  1. LeBunny37 wrote:

    This giant wood wasp is in Olympia, WA too. Icky bug. My son went camping and brought it home today. I love internet. =D

    Posted 11 Aug 2009 at 11:08 pm
  2. tamihangstefer wrote:

    We have these wood wasps in Alaska too. They seem to like to live around the mud.

    Posted 03 Aug 2010 at 8:56 pm
  3. paulstewart10 wrote:

    hi all, was just searching to see if i could recognise a wasp i found and it seems to be a greater woodwasp, i live in just outside Dungannon, in co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. can anyone tel me if theese wasps are native to the UK or is this one that got lost.
    Thanks, Paul

    Posted 15 Aug 2010 at 10:11 am
  4. Woodwasp wrote:

    I’ve been looking for this for years. We had one of these things in our Garden Center (at a DIY store, IN THE UK) back in 2003/4. THE WORST Wasp I’ve ever seen!!.

    Posted 05 Oct 2011 at 5:34 pm
  5. bugman wrote:

    Well, after all these years, we are happy you have an answer.

    Posted 05 Oct 2011 at 8:09 pm

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