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Long scorpion like tail.
September 20, 2009
This picture taken today, September 20, 2009 in the Northern reaches of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Iron River.
I think it is some sort of a wood borer that uses it’s long segmented tail to burrow deep under the bark of a tree and lay it’s eggs.
During the first attempt to take a picture of this bug it flew off but thankfully it is not a fast flyer and landed only a few yards from where it began.
Dick Boyd
Iron River, MI

American Pelecinid

Dear Dick,
We have posted several images of the American Pelecinid recently, but your photo shows the most detail.  The female of the species, which is represented in your photograph, uses her long abdomen to lay her eggs underground near burrowing grubs of May Beetles.  The larvae of the American Pelecinid then parasitize the beetle grubs.

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