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20 August 2006, 07:50 AM

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!

Prince · 20 August 2006, 07:54 AM

Wow!!! Fantastic photos, Al. My wife would run screaming from that wasp - she is dangerously allergic to the sting of things like that.

Thanks for sharing some really fine shots!

JJ Irani · 20 August 2006, 07:56 AM

Once again, some fine close-up photography, Al. You are quite a multi-talented guy!!

Otis · 20 August 2006, 09:56 AM

Boy, now that's a wasp.

Wouldn't look out of place fighting godzilla somewhere over tokyo. Great pics too, btw!

padi56 · 20 August 2006, 07:01 PM

Great pictures Al strange looking insect.

Launch Mini · 21 August 2006, 01:37 AM

Great pics, glad it was you , not me taking those ones.

21 August 2006, 10:53 AM

I went back to the same tree today to see what was there, and found several of these:

So it appears that when these things deposit their eggs, they die in the process by ripping off part of their own bodies....

It also seems that several variants of these things like this same tree. Here is a much much smaller one there today:

And another variation - this one between the two others in size, but closer to the smaller one than the giant one:

Interesting things you sometimes find in your own yard!

Prince · 21 August 2006, 11:43 AM

Very cool photos indeed, Al. Things we take for granted every day, and don't take (or have) the time to examine and appreciate.

24 August 2006, 10:44 PM

Looks pretty ugly... i wonder how it would far against the giant water bug I found in my pool skimmer last summer.

The Dude · 25 August 2006, 12:39 AM

At least they are not spiders - I really don't like spiders! Great pictures!

25 August 2006, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dude

At least they are not spiders - I really don't like spiders! Great pictures!

You mean like this one:

Or this one - it's one big spider!

The Dude · 25 August 2006, 01:09 PM

Bastard! *Shaking fist in the air!* Now I won't be able to sleep!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon

You mean like this one:

20 August 2006, 07:50 AM	#1
---- Guest Posts: n/a	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!

20 August 2006, 07:54 AM	#2
Prince "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Real Name: Allan Location: St. Augustine, FL Watch: Daytona/Sub/GMT/DJ Posts: 20,323	Wow!!! Fantastic photos, Al. My wife would run screaming from that wasp - she is dangerously allergic to the sting of things like that. Thanks for sharing some really fine shots! __________________ Member: Rolex Keeper's Society "You see, you can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself." - Rick Nelson

20 August 2006, 07:56 AM	#3
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	Once again, some fine close-up photography, Al. You are quite a multi-talented guy!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

20 August 2006, 09:56 AM	#4
Otis "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2006 Real Name: Urs Location: QLD AU Watch: Omega x 2 Posts: 2,046	Boy, now that's a wasp. Wouldn't look out of place fighting godzilla somewhere over tokyo. Great pics too, btw! __________________ Rock the Casbah!

20 August 2006, 07:01 PM	#5
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,016	Great pictures Al strange looking insect. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

21 August 2006, 01:37 AM	#6
Launch Mini "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Real Name: John Location: Canada, eh Watch: can I? Posts: 6,240	Great pics, glad it was you , not me taking those ones. __________________ Something witty to go here. Member # 293

21 August 2006, 10:53 AM	#7
---- Guest Posts: n/a	I went back to the same tree today to see what was there, and found several of these: So it appears that when these things deposit their eggs, they die in the process by ripping off part of their own bodies.... It also seems that several variants of these things like this same tree. Here is a much much smaller one there today: And another variation - this one between the two others in size, but closer to the smaller one than the giant one: Interesting things you sometimes find in your own yard!

21 August 2006, 11:43 AM	#8
Prince "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Real Name: Allan Location: St. Augustine, FL Watch: Daytona/Sub/GMT/DJ Posts: 20,323	Very cool photos indeed, Al. Things we take for granted every day, and don't take (or have) the time to examine and appreciate. __________________ Member: Rolex Keeper's Society "You see, you can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself." - Rick Nelson

25 August 2006, 12:39 AM	#10
The Dude Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In my own world Posts: 595	At least At least they are not spiders - I really don't like spiders! Great pictures!

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