Pigeon Horntail

Never seen before
Location: Macomb County, MI
September 25, 2011 3:10 pm
I’ve never seen this before. Do you know what kind of bug it is and is it dangerous?
Signature: Thank you very much. Ken

Pigeon Horntail

Hi Ken,
This Pigeon Horntail is a harmless Wood Wasp.  What appears to be a formidable stinger is actually an ovipositor that the female uses to penetrate wood to lay her eggs.  Any human less dense than wood could potentially be penetrated by a female Wood Wasp, though we have never received a report of that occurrence.  We have gotten some nice recent photos of Giant Ichneumons, which are the primary predator of the Pigeon Horntail.

1   I like This

Related posts:

Bug of the Month April 2013: Elm Sawfly Horntail Pigeon Horntail Black and Red Horntail

Location: Michigan