The Giant Ichneumon Wasp is a remarkable parasitoid wasp where the female's ovipositor can reach 5 inches long — among the longest appendages relative to body size of any insect. She uses it to drill through several inches of hardwood to reach the larva of the Pigeon Horntail wood wasp burrowed inside, parasitizing it with her egg. Despite its alarming needle-like tail, the ovipositor is entirely harmless to humans.
Best time to see a Giant Ichneumon Wasp
The best time to see a Giant Ichneumon Wasp is May–August, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,552 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Giant Ichneumon Wasp? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
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