Species Tremex columba - Pigeon tremex, Pigeon horntail

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Size · Life Cycle · Remarks · Internet References

Pigeon Horntail? - Tremex columba - male

Tremex, but which one? - Tremex columba - female

Tremex columba, male horntail - Tremex columba - male

Large queen wasp - Tremex columba - female

Pigeon Horntail - Tremex columba - Tremex columba - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (Sawflies, Horntails, and Wood Wasps)

Family Siricidae (Horntails)

Genus Tremex

Species columba (Pigeon tremex, Pigeon horntail)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

First described in 1763 by Carolus Linnaeus as Sirex columba

Explanation of Names

columba is Latin for "pigeon or dove"

Size

Adults usually more than 25mm. Larvae to about 40mm

Life Cycle

Females lay eggs in diseased, decaying or cut wood.

Remarks

These wasps do not sting. What looks like a long sting on the female is the ovipositor, used for laying eggs in wood.

Internet References

Cornell.edu

D.D.Centuria Insectum Rariorum, p.29 Carolus Linnaeus' original description of the species (in Latin)

PADIL. Pest and Disease Image Library.

Contributed by Eric R. Eaton on 8 November, 2005 - 2:20pm
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason, Beatriz Moisset, Brad Barnd, Chuck Entz
Last updated 26 August, 2009 - 10:17pm

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