How do I identify my ichneumon wasp?

The antenna is unusually long with 16 or more segments. Commonly recognized as slender wasps, the females have a long ovipositor that is often longer than the body. In addition to these traits, the ichneumon wasps also have two-segmented trochanters that allow for an easy identification.

How many species of ichneumonidae are there?

The Ichneumonidae, also known as the ichneumon wasps, Darwin wasps, or ichneumonids, are a family of parasitoid wasps of the insect order Hymenoptera. They are one of the most diverse groups within the Hymenoptera with roughly 25,000 species currently described.

Are giant ichneumon wasp poisonous?

Altogether the body and ovipositor of this insect may extend more than 5 inches. (Males are smaller, lack the ovipositor, and have a blunt tip of the abdomen.) Despite its rather fearsome appearance, the giant ichneumon wasp is harmless to humans and can not sting.

Are ichneumon wasps or flies?

Ichneumonids are wasps (order Hymenoptera, superfamily Ichneumonoidea) with a very narrow wasp waist between the middle (mesosoma, roughly equivalent to the thorax on other insects) and hind (metasoma, roughly equivalent to the abdomen on other insects) body parts.

What do ichneumon wasps eat?

Adult ichneumon drink nectar from flowers if they eat at all. The larvae are the true consumers. All ichneumon wasps are parasites who deposit their eggs on or near the young of other insects and spiders. Once the eggs hatch, they feed on the unsuspecting host larvae until reaching the dormant pupate stage.

What is the meaning of ichneumon?

Definition of ichneumon 1 : a mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) of Africa, southern Europe, and southwestern Asia. 2 : ichneumon wasp.

How do you pronounce ichthyosaur?

Phonetic spelling of ichthyosaur

  1. ich-thy-osaur.
  2. ichthyosaur.
  3. ick ee osaur.