Numbers
Neartica lists 11 North American species.
Identification
From "The Audubon Society Field Guide to N. American Insects & Spiders"
(1):
"Abdomen long, compressed on the sides. Body pale yellow to reddish brown. Antennae and legs long, pale. Ovipositor of female barely visible at tip of abdomen. Wings clear."
Habitat
Forest canopies and shrubby fields
Season
Adults are seen in late spring to late summer (May-August)
Food
Most all Ophion larva are parasites of caterpillars.
Life Cycle
Adult Ophion species will hunt for their host caterpillar. Usually one egg is laid per host. Caterpillar usually dies during pupal stage though wasp larva remains to pupate itself.
Remarks
The Ophion species are one of the most common Ichneumon wasps in the U.S.
They are often attracted to artificial lights
Print References
"The Audubon Society Field Guide to N. American Insects & Spiders", page 810, plate 445
(1)
"A Field Guide to the Insects of America North of Mexico", page 322 describes Ichneumons, with an illustration of an Ophion sp. on 323
(2)Internet References
Texas A&M University - talks about Ichneumons in general with details on the Ophion species
Insects of Cedar Creek - has info on Ichneumons with a photo of an Ophion species
