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Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp

Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp

Megarhyssa greenei

A species of Giant ichneumons

Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp is named for the prominent American entomologist George M. Greene. This large and colorful wasp is a beneficial insect that feeds on pests including wood borers and bole weevils. The female uses an exceptionally long ovipositor to inject her eggs into the larva of other insects, where they feed and develop.

General Info About Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
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Attributes of Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
Colors
Brown
Black
Yellow
Orange
Habitat
field
Adult Food Sources
Nectar, honeydew, sap from plants, sugar-rich secretions, body fluids of its hosts
Larva Food Source
Wood wasp larvae (hosts such as species within the siricidae family)
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
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Species Status of Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
Widespread
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Distribution Area of Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
Canada, United States
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Life Cycle of Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
Egg The greene's giant ichneumonid wasp begins as an egg, typically laid inside a host or plant tissue. Small and inconspicuous, the eggs are often oval and change color as development progresses.
Larva Upon hatching, greene's giant ichneumonid wasp larvae are legless and maggot-like. They feed voraciously, usually internally within a host, growing rapidly and molting several times.
Pupal Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp undergoes pupation within a cocoon. During this time, profound transformations occur as tissue breaks down and reforms, leading to the adult form.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult greene's giant ichneumonid wasp is distinguishable by wings and sexual organs. Adults are often sexually dimorphic, focusing on mating and, for females, ovipositing.
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Interesting Facts About Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp females possess an extraordinarily long ovipositor, used to deposit eggs deep within wood, reaching larvae not accessible by other means.
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Scientific Classification of Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
Tips for Finding Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
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Youth Habitat of Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
Forests and Woodlands, Rotting and Decaying Matter
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Adult Habitat of Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
Forests and Woodlands
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When is the Best Time to Observe Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
The best time to observe adult greene's giant ichneumonid wasp is during warmer months when they emerge to mate and parasitize hosts.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
Adult greene's giant ichneumonid wasp are most active in warm, humid weather conditions which facilitate flight and host-seeking behaviors.
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How and Where Can You Find Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp at Different Life Stages
Egg Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp eggs are usually laid inside the host larva and are not typically visible or accessible for observation outside of the laboratory.
Larva Larvae of greene's giant ichneumonid wasp are endoparasitoids and will be inside their host larvae, usually under the bark of trees. Finding them would involve identifying the presence of host larvae by the exit holes and frass on tree bark and then carefully splitting the bark to look for the parasitic larvae inside.
Pupal The pupal stage of greene's giant ichneumonid wasp occurs within the host or nearby. To find them, investigate the same areas where larval hosts are present, generally within decayed wood or underneath bark.
Adult Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp adults can be spotted by their long ovipositors and are often found near trees where host larvae are present. Searching for them would involve quietly observing trunks of trees, especially where signs of wood-boring larvae are apparent.
Are Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp
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Parasitoids of Pests
Parasitoids of Pests
Parasitic Position Type
Endoparasitism
Host Type
Wood-boring Insects
Host Stage
Larvae
Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp exhibits a remarkable life cycle. Its ovipositor, uniquely adapted and longer than its body, allows it to lay eggs deep within wooden substrates infested by host larvae. Secretively and specifically targeting wood-boring insects, its larvae develop internally, ultimately consuming their unsuspecting hosts.
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