What kind of wasp is this? - Ask Extension
The huge stinger makes it look like a wood wasp but the narrow waste does not. I'm confused.
Knowledgebase
What kind of wasp is this? #806660
Asked August 16, 2022, 11:16 PM EDT
The huge stinger makes it look like a wood wasp but the narrow waste does not. I'm confused.
Jackson County Oregon
Expert Response
I believe that this is an Ichneumonid wasp in the genus Limonethe. But, the only thing that gives me pause is that there are very few observations of this genus in the west.
Would it be okay with you, if I upload your photos to iNaturalist, for community input on the identification? Or if you are on iNaturalist, could you upload the photos? If I upload the photos on your behalf, I will need to know the city or town where this photo was taken.
Would it be okay with you, if I upload your photos to iNaturalist, for community input on the identification? Or if you are on iNaturalist, could you upload the photos? If I upload the photos on your behalf, I will need to know the city or town where this photo was taken.
I agree that it looks very similar to the Ichneumonid wasp in the genus Limonethe, but that doesn't explain the huge stinger. Note, also, the long antenna.
All wasps in the family Ichneumonidae (including wood wasps in the genus Megarhyssa, which are part of the Ichneumonidae family) have large ovipositors (if they are female) and long, slender antennae.
https://genent.cals.ncsu.edu/insect-identification/order-hymenoptera/family-ichneumonidae/
https://genent.cals.ncsu.edu/insect-identification/order-hymenoptera/family-ichneumonidae/
Thanks for educating me. ☺ I'm trying to upload to iNaturalist. I'll let you know if I succeed or need you to do it.
S
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Shaktari Belew
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I tried to upload all 3 clarified photos to iNaturalist but don't really know what I am doing. Please check and correct any errors I made or simply re-enter them. The photos are attached, again, below. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need anything else. The doesn't look quite that long and there is no black dot on the red, but it seems they have quite a bit of variation in size and color. Let me know if you need anything else.
