Horntail

6599.      Looks like a spider wasp but my searches have not turned up a match. Somewhat resembles a Tarantula Hawk Wasp but my photo’s white markings are very different. Any help will be gratefully received. Garden Bay, British Columbia. Canada

 

Number 6599. This is a type of wood wasp known as a horntail (Hymenoptera: Siricidae); it appears to be Urocerus albicornis, whose larvae tunnel in the wood of conifers including fir, larch, spruce, pine, Douglas-fir, hemlock, and western red cedar. A very comprehensive guide to this group of insects can be seen at Click here