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♀ Giant Ichneumon Wasp

Megarhyssa macrurus

Description:

Once again, I was able to watch one of these MASSIVE wasp oviposit. When I say these are large, I'm talking like 7 inches (including the ovipositor.) This striking wasp are able to find their victims through an amazing process. These wasps have an ability to sense a fungus through several inches of wood. How does this help you ask? The fungus is only found on the waste of their host species, pigeon tremex. Once they find a log with the larva in it, they burrow their way into the log with the ovipositor and deposit their eggs in the larva. A truly stunning example of evolution that seems nearly impossible.

Habitat:

Wooded area

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5 Comments

Rosa Maria
Rosa Maria 8 years ago

Neat!

Ingrid3
Ingrid3 8 years ago

This is spectacular field work!

Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander 8 years ago

Great job Logan! Thanks for sharing..

LuckyLogan
LuckyLogan 8 years ago

What can I say... I guess I'm lucky. :)

beaker98
beaker98 8 years ago

I haven't seen one of these in a couple of years and I've been keeping a keen eye out for them. Awesome shots once again Logan. I'm jealous:)

LuckyLogan
Spotted by
LuckyLogan

Iowa, USA

Spotted on Jun 5, 2015
Submitted on Jun 26, 2015

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