Ichneumon Wasps
Ichneumon wasps are very large and are beneficial insects. They are long (4-5cm) black or other assorted colours, with very long antennae.
Adult Ichneumon Wasp-T. C. Nature
Description & Diet
They have a thin waist and can be found in many different parts of the world. There are several different species, however they all have the long tail so you cannot make a mistake identifying. They lay their eggs on wood host larvae and other soft bodied pests. To do this she must use her long ‘tail’ called an ovipositor to bore down into the wood…..up to 5 cm. The young eat the larvae and eventually kill it before it can reach adulthood. This wasp is scary looking but they don’t sting unless they feal threatened. This is a solitary insect unlike the social wasps that build nests en masse. Expect to see them alone.
Diet
Wood wasps, horntail wasps (sawflies), bollworms, armyworms, wood borers, beetle larvae and moth larvae. Each species of wasp has a particular host that they use. Your local Green Guru will know which one you will need.
Where To Find/Acquire Them
If you don’t have any in your neighbourhood then you can get them from any nursery, greenhouse or mail order place selling beneficial insects. Whatever you do…don’t kill them, and be sure if you buy them that they are native to your area.
August 11th, 2005 at 5:09 pm
I have found something in my garden that is very similar to the Ichneumon wasp, I have pictures of them and would like some one to look at them and tell me what they are.
August 11th, 2005 at 10:07 pm
Send me the pictures and if they are these guys I will post them and if not then I will find out what type of wasp they are. You can do this by sending me a message on ‘Ask Cahri’ (top of page)…..I will reply and you send them to my personal email.
Regards
Cahri
September 15th, 2005 at 9:10 pm
Today, I saw a very large wasp coming at me! I avoided it and it landed on the corner of my home. The size was approximately 2-3 inches in length and it had a long tail approximately 4-5 inches in length. The color of the wasp was black and it had clear wings. The wasp was very large and I am wondering what it was or is? Can you help? Please let me know–Thanks, Dave H.
September 16th, 2005 at 4:15 pm
It could be several different types of wasp. There are many large black ones like that. It helps to know where you live, state, province or even country to identify. Wasps, however are all beneficial. They eat hosts of insects and caterpillars. As long as this particular wasp has not made a home in or around the outskirts or your home, I’d leave him alone.
Regards
Cahri
July 25th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Hi,
This morning I encountered this creature resting on a tree stump on our property. I have never seen anything like it and looked to your site to get help identifying him/her. I don’t see a way to attach a photo, but i have a very good high resolution pic if you would like it. Thanks, Chad
June 6th, 2008 at 9:26 am
My local nursery told me that the larvae of these Ichneuman wasps (they didn’t know the name, only the characteristics) would eventually kill my already-struggling red maple tree; another ‘knowledgeable’ neighbor stated that the knew that 4 of these wasps could kill a horse. Following their ‘advice’ I have killed several, to preserve the tree and out of fear of my small dog.
The wasps truly are beautiful, especially when they drill and inject the larvae into the tree (like a milky fan).
Please clarify if any danger to the tree or my animals.
Thank you.
October 7th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I just found an insect that looks a lot like the ones shown, bot it is yellow and black. I was wondering if it could be one. Im not sure because it has 3 tails. I was wondering if you could help?
May 29th, 2009 at 10:00 am
We were playing on the wii when we saw this bug. it had a long tail and it looks threatening. what should we do? its very thin and quite long thx.
May 18th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
i found a bug sort of like what is in the pictures shown above but it was about 2 inches long. the tail of it was most of its size being about an inch an a half. off of the taill it looked like it had long 2 inch antenna like thing it also had long antennas on its head. long legs and it was black and yellow striped like a yellow jacket
thanks
June 24th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Hey, I saw one of these wasps in our building and i took a picture. Can I send it to you and get your opinion?
June 25th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Sure, just click on ask cahri tab at top left and send it to me. Add your name or nick so I can credit you the picture.
Regards
Cahri