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Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What insect is this? > General/curiosity insects > Insects with obvious wings: greater than 1 inch long or wingspan is 2 inches or more > Giant ichneumon

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Giant ichneumon wasps

Megarhyssa spp.

Giant ichneumon

Winnifred Williams

Giant ichneumon

Jim Occi, BugPics, Bugwood.org


Description: 1 1/2 inches long. Reddish brown with yellow and black coloring throughout (another species, M. atrata, is mostly black with a yellow head); has a 2-3 inch ovipositor.

Where/When: Associated with declining or recently dead hardwood trees between May and July.

Significance: Parasitizes horntails that are present in declining trees. It does not injure trees. Is not aggressive to people and ignores people when possible. If mishandled, it may use its ovipositor to protect itself.

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