Subject: Identifying Insect
Location: Cheltenham VIC
October 23, 2013 4:17 am
Hi,
I found two of these beautiful insects in my backyard the other day. I googled them and it looks like the Orchid Dupe Wasp.
I have a curious 2 year old and I’m concerned about the enormous stinger they have. Are they particularly dangerous and could there be a nest around?
Thanks in advance 🙂
Signature: Alex
Dear Alex,
Congratulations on identifying your Orchid Dupe Wasp, Lissopimpla excelsa, a species of parasitic Ichneumon from Australia. What you have identified as a stinger is the ovipositor of the female, and wasps that sting are using a modified ovipositor. Some Ichneumons are capable of stinging. We will try to locate some more specific information for you.
Great. Thank you so much for the quick response. I look forward to hearing more info if you come across any.
Cheers
Alex
First time noted 24th Jan 2014 inside at the NE facing windows in the house appearing each day for say 4 days. Killed 2-5 wasps/day with spray but then new wasps appear next morning. Probably coming down chimney. Some have long “probiscus” extending from rear segment. Sorrento wasp has yellow front 4 legs (common to Thread Waisted wasp), with 2 rear legs being black with white end segments. However, there is no orange marking on the rear abdomen, suggesting it may not be a Thread Waisted wasp, common in N America. It is possibly of the tribe Sceliphronini or mud daubers but does not have yellow spots. I can send more info and photos but it looks like Eremnophila aureonotata except for the yellow front legs.
We have yet to find the nest.
If you send photos, please use our standard submission form by clicking the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our site.
I live in Taunton, Somerset, England UK I was sat on a bus home when I noticed this bug with a large sting. My first thoughts was oh my got what is this bug and I would not want to be stung by it. When I got home I googled it. Can they live over here is what I want to know or is finding one in the UK very unusual ?
We would bet that you did not see this Australian Dupe Wasp, but rather a native wood wasp or some other species of Ichneumon.