unknown

mick · Jul 14, 2010

Can someone inform me what this is. It was no less than 2 inches long and possibly longer from end of antennas to the tip of the sting.

Marley Farley · Jul 14, 2010

Hi Mick,
2" long is big.. I am thinking it is a Horntail..!!!

The Greater Horntail & these are harmless...!!!

Urocerus gigas
The Greater Woodwasp or Horntail Wasp, Urocerus gigas is a large yellow and black insect with a conspicuous
needle-like projection at it’s tail end. Although often mistaken for a sting this is in fact the ovipositor, or an egg-laying organ. Their large and formidable appearance often causes concern; however woodwasps are quite harmless and are unable to sting or cause any harm.
The female wasp uses her saw tipped ovipositor to bore through bark into wood, where she lays her eggs. Some species attack broad leaved trees, others conifers. Weakened, diseased or dying, standing or recently felled timber is normally used, although females will not usually lay eggs in timber from which the bark has been removed. Several eggs are laid in one or more borings. At the same time, a secretion containing fungal spores is injected. The fungus helps to break down the wood which is then consumed by the woodwasp larva. At first it bores parallel to the surface but later tunnels towards the heart wood. Larval development takes a long time, from 10 months to 4 years, depending on the species concerned and also on the condition of the wood. When full grown the larva tunnels back toward the surface and pupates just below the bark. On emergence from the pupa the adult gnaws through the bark to escape.
In forests, woodwasps are considered to be of secondary importance as pests because ordinarily they only seriously damage and kill trees already weakened by other pests and diseases.
Click to expand...

mick · Jul 14, 2010

Thanks MF thats definetly the one. :gnthb:

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unknown

mick Gardener

Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

mick Gardener

Solved Unknown plant

Unknown shrub in back garden

Solved Large unknown evergreen shrub

Solved Unknown shrub in front garden

Unknown Seedling ID

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