Wasp Style Insect Found in Ohio
July 27, 2009
Hello – Unfortunately I am not much of a bug expert, just a long distance boyfriend trying to see if my girlfriend and our new puppy have to be worried about getting stung by this bugger (no pun intended… well.. maybe a little)
This guy was found in a wooded area in a residential district surrounded by homes and larger lawns. They are usually found clumped together in groups of 4 to 5, and are not always active. When the pictures were taken they were barely stirred and did not fly around a lot at all. The biggest feature, although hard to see in the photos, is a whip-tail looking stinger perhaps that is honestly longer than the body, curling under the length of the insect. Please check the photos for more information. A name/identifier and any dangers it could cause to smaller animals would be great.
Cheers, Ryan L Montgomery, USAF
Dayton Ohio
Giant Ichneumon
Hi Ryan,
Your guy is a gal and she is a Giant Ichneumon, Megarhyssa atrata. Though she is related to wasps, she is incapable of stinging, so she is harmless. What appears to be a giant stinger is actually the ovipositor which the female Ichneumon uses to deposit her eggs inside dead or dying wood where the larval food, wood boring larvae, can be found. Ichneumons are considered parasitic Hymenopterans.
Love This Site!!
July 27, 2009
Just wanted to say thanks for this AWESOME site! Everyday at work I spend all day (between customers of course) looking at and reading about the fascinating bugs on your website! My co-workers try to avoid my desk, complaining that the bug pics give them the heebeejeebees. I admit, I used to be one of them. That was, until my mom introduced me to WTB when she wanted a wasp identified. I have always been curious about creatures (big and small), and you have an endless supply of information to satiate my appetite! Now when I see a bug, instead of smashing it or ignoring it, I just try to figure out what it is! I can’t wait to visit my folks in Ohio next week, and share with them all my newly aqcuired knowledge any time we run across an interesting bug! Thanks for all that you do!
Cassie Shaw
Cleveland MS
Hi Cassie,
Thanks so much for your kind letter of support.
Related Posts
No related posts.
Tan Cecropia Moth?
July 27, 2009
I work at a quarry in south central kentucky. Generally finding large silkmoths is relatively easy each year approaching fall. One day there was a large polyphemus male, and the next another smaller moth i initially mistook for a polyphemus. When the wings spread.. well, the rest is history!
I have no idea what kind of moth this is. Its pattern is very similar to a cecropia. This is a small male, its wingspan only about 4 inches or so. Much smaller than previous polyphemus that i’ve found. We have found one large expired ‘black type’ cecropia here. But i’ve never seen one like this. A cousin perhaps?
Thanks for the help!
A Lover of giant silk moths
warren county Kentucky
Tulip Tree Silkmoth
Dear Lover,
WE believe this is a Tulip Tree Silkmoth, Callosamia angulifera, and we believe it is a female and not a male based on the coloration and antennae. You can compare your moth to images posted to BugGuide.
What kind of bug is this?
July 27, 2009
We walked outside of the apartment to find this big huge green bug. We could not figure out what kind of bug it was. At first we thought it might be some sort of cricket or locus, but we could not find a picture online similar to it. Our town is between a city and country.
Athena
Portland, TX
Greater Arid-Land Katydid
Hi Athena,
We just love that according to BugGuide, the Greater Arid-Land Katydid, Neobarrettia spinosa, is also known as a Red Eyed Devil. Unfortunately, your photo that shows the red eyes is quite blurry, but we are posting it anyway. The ovipositor indicates that this is a female. This is a predatory species. Also according to BugGuide, it may bite and draw blood.
Red Eyed Devil
can you identify this please?
July 25, 2009
hi
this bug found in my kitchen in north London United Kingdom.
however have recently returned from central America / Caribean holiday.
for scale one picture contains a shaving razor handle.
thank you
john
j davey
london U.K
Whipscorpion
Dear j davey,
First off, this has to be the smallest digital file we have ever had sent to us. Despite our feeble eyesight, we have no doubt that is is a Whipscorpion in the order Uropygi. It is not native to England and it is found in the Caribbean. It is also a nocturnal hunter that may take shelter in a suitcase or other dark place. It would seem customs did not do a thorough search. Whipscorpions are perfectly harmless to humans despite the fierce appearance as they have no venom.
thank you
yes, looks just like it
sorry about the size of the file, didn’t realise it was so small, it was taken using the camera on the phone.
thank you for your help
any idea of a good home for it?
john
We would recommend a local pet store that sells Tarantulas.
assassin bug nymph
July 25, 2009
Greetings WTB,
This long red bug was an unwelcome surprise in my kitchen! I thought you’d get a kick out of the picture. In looking around, I think it is an assassin bug nymph. Is it a milkweed assassin bug? I ask, because I’ve been trying unsuccessfully to grow milkweed!
Julie
Savannah, GA
Milkweed Assassin Bug Nymph
Hi Julie,
You are right on both counts. This is an immature Milkweed Assassin Bug and we do find your photos highly amusing.
Milkweed Assassin Bug Nymph
(Believed) female Eastern Hercules Beetle, second photo turned out very good
July 26, 2009
Hi,
I believe this is a female Eastern Hercules Beetle, but I’m not totally sure. It was found on the side of my house in the evening. I live in middle Tennessee. I know you have posted some of these already, but I think the second picture turned out really well.
Matthew Martin
Springfield, TN
- Eastern Hercules Beetle
Hi Matthew,
You are correct. This is a female Eastern Hercules Beetle, Dynastes tityus. The close-up is an interesting angle.
- Eastern Hercules Beetle
I like This
