Help with bug I.D. - Orchid Board

Junebug · #1 06-10-2010, 07:49 PM

I found this intimidating wasp-like bug on my large driftwood mount yesterday. He was about 1 1/2" long from the tip of his head to tip of his behind and he had a 1" spike/stinger looking thing protruding from his butt. He kept tapping the wood with his butt spike while pacing all over the wood. Can anyone I.D. this guy? Is he some type of mud dauber? Should I grab a can of bug spray?

Call_Me_Bob · #2 06-10-2010, 07:50 PM

i have seen one of those before. it looks intimidating doesnt it? i dont know what it is though

johnblagg · #3 06-10-2010, 08:43 PM

LOL I was going to say a flythat mimics wasps but nope it is a wasp and can sting but rarely does

Giant Ichneumon Wasps Ovipositing and another link with a few more types Ichneumon Wasps - Hymenoptera Family Ichneumonidae

and this one How to identify ichneumon wasps

Junebug · #4 06-10-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnblagg

LOL I was going to say a flythat mimics wasps but nope it is a wasp and can sting but rarely does

Giant Ichneumon Wasps Ovipositing and another link with a few more types Ichneumon Wasps - Hymenoptera Family Ichneumonidae

and this one How to identify ichneumon wasps

Wow! Thank you. That's pretty fascinating...a bug with eggs and a drill bit.

johnblagg · #5 06-10-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junebug

Wow! Thank you. That's pretty fascinating...a bug with eggs and a drill bit.

Most Welcome. Indeed it was a good read ..Thank you for posting it

camille1585 · #6 06-10-2010, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junebug

Wow! Thank you. That's pretty fascinating...a bug with eggs and a drill bit.

LOL, I love your description!

I have to say that this one looks particularily scary. Parasitiod wasps are fascinating. I studied them (ones that parasitize cabbage pests) quite a bit in the last year, and it's amazing how intelligent they are and how well they learn. They are extremely useful creatures.

Junebug · #7 06-10-2010, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

LOL, I love your description!

I have to say that this one looks particularily scary. Parasitiod wasps are fascinating. I studied them (ones that parasitize cabbage pests) quite a bit in the last year, and it's amazing how intelligent they are and how well they learn. They are extremely useful creatures.

I call them as I see them.

That bug looked like he/she had some sort of important agenda with all that butt tapping going on. I'd never seen a bug behave like that.