Posts

Ichneumon wasp

6348 Is this a mosquito. Best way to treating. We have had a lot of rain. Temperatures are 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. From Evansville, USA

Number 6348 This insect needs no treatment/control as it is an ichneumon wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). These wasps all are parasitic on other arthropods, mainly other insects.

Southern yellow jacket

6332  This insect is from a very large nest (6′ x 3′) in a tree in Sarasota Florida. I think it may be a Paper Wasp but the photos of various wasps and hornets look a lot alike. Many thanks. From United States.

Number 6332 This looks like a southern yellow jacket, Vespula squamosa (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). These usually nest underground or in cavities, but occasionally have been known to construct very large aerial nests. Click here for more detailed information.

European hornet, Vespa crabro

6309 These wasp have a nest somewhere in the side of my house. They are the largest wasp I have seen and are intimidating. I just started noticing them (August 20). They are attracted to light and always get trapped in my garage. What type of insect are they and what precautions should I take as a hole owner. From Kingston, Ontario

Number 6309 This looks like a European hornet, Vespa crabro (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). These tend to be less aggressive than their smaller cousins, yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets. However, they will sting in response to being stepped on or grabbed and also are defensive of their nests and can be aggressive around food sources. They primarily are carnivorous and hunt large insects, but also will feed on fallen fruit and other sources of sugary food. Click here for more detailed information.

Female American pelecinid wasp

6295 From Winnipeg, Manitova

Number 6295 This is a female American pelecinid wasp, Pelecinus polyturator (Hymenoptera: Pelecinidae). They are parasitic on the larvae (grubs) of June beetles, Click here for images and more information.

Female giant ichneumon wasp

6284  What is this? From George’s New Foundland

Number 6284 This is a female giant ichneumon wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in the genus Megarhyssa, likely M. macrurus, see Click here for an image and more detailed information, Your specimen was in the act of drilling into the wood to deposit her egg in the tunnel of a wood wasp in the family Siricidae.

Ichneumon wasp

6241 Found this bug on my car today and haven’t seen anything like it before. From Aurora, Ontario

Number 6241 – This is an ichneumon wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). This is a very large family comprising thousands of species, all of which are parasitic on other insects and spiders. They are harmless to humans.