Braconid wasp

Description:

Next to impossible to identify this genus from images alone, however it is one of the more common genera in the subfamily. (information from BugGuide) The morphological variation among braconids is notable. Braconids are often black-brown (sometimes with reddish markings), though some species exhibit striking coloration and pattern, being parts of Müllerian mimicry complexes. They have one or no recurrent veins, unlike other members of the Ichneumonoidea which usually have two. Wing venation patterns are also divergent to apparent randomness. The antennae have 16 segments or more; the hind trochanters have 2 segments. Females often have long ovipositors, an organ that largely varies intraspecifically. This variation is closely related to the host species upon which the wasp deposits its egg. Species that parasitize microlepidoptera, for instance, have longer ovipositors, presumably to reach the caterpillar through layers of plant tissue. Some wasps also have long ovipositors because of caterpillar defense mechanisms such as spines or hairs. (information from Wikipedia)

Notes:

These wasps are parasites of woodboring insect larvae. This female was laying an egg through the bark and onto a larva residing underneath it. I endured quite a few mosquito bites to capture these images! :-)