Giant Wasp

I came home from work Friday and noticed what looked like a wasp/dragonfly cross flying around a dead oak tree we have out front. I first saw these last summer, but didn't get a picture. I quickly ran in and grabbed the camera, and took some shots of what I now know is a Giant Ichneumon wasp known as Megarhyssa.




This wasp is a female and the long item on the back end that looks like a massive stinger is in fact a part of the anatomy (ovipositor) that allows this wasp to deposit eggs in dead trees. The larvae hatch and feed on other insect larvae in the tree.





I was pleased to get these pictures because last year they were only there for a day or two, and every time I tried to get a photo they would fly away. I will say that I had to get closer to this than I was comfortable with to get the photos, but that paid off (and I didn't get stung! ). There were actually 3 or 4 of these flying around the same area.......Including the ovipositor this example was around 100mm long!

Hope you enjoy the pics!