by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Back to Jeff's Miscellaneous Invertebrates Page | Jeff's Nature Pages
Large family of wasps that do not sting. Most are parasitic (parasitoids) on various insects or other arthropods.Giant Ichneumon Wasp (Megarhyssa atrata) Madison Co., NC 9 Apr 2012 These impressive wasps seek out rotting logs where horntail wasp larvae are feeding. Using their antennae they sense the presence of the larvae deep in the log. | |
Giant Ichneumon Wasp (Megarhyssa atrata) Madison Co., NC 9 Apr 2012 They then prepare their 3-parted ovipositor to penetrate the log using chemicals which break down the wood, up to 5 inches! | |
Giant Ichneumon Wasp (Megarhyssa atrata) Madison Co., NC 9 Apr 2012 During this process, the abdominal membrane is exposed and aids the process. | |
Giant Ichneumon Wasp (Megarhyssa atrata) Madison Co., NC 9 Apr 2012 An egg will be passed through the thin ovipositor and onto a horntail larvae. The egg will hatch and the larval Giant Ichneumon will eat the larval horntail. |
Giant Ichneumon Wasp (Megarhyssa atrata) Clay Co., NC 20 May 2007 | |
Giant Ichneumon Wasp (Megarhyssa atrata) Clay Co., NC 20 May 2007 |
Subfamily Ichneumoninae Edge of field and forest in Orange Co., NC 29 May 2008 | |
Subfamily Ichneumoninae Edge of field and forest in Orange Co., NC 29 May 2008 | |
Subfamily Ichneumoninae Edge of field and forest in Orange Co., NC 29 May 2008 |
Created on ... Nov 6, 2007 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com