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Photo#230224
Winged bug on a stump... what is it? - Megarhyssa macrurus

Winged bug on a stump... what is it? - Megarhyssa macrurus
Derwood, Montgomery County, Maryland, USA
September 30, 2008
Size: Body 2" tail 3"
Saw this insect on a log in my yard. Have never seen one like it before. It had a 3" "tail" that was made up of what looked like 3 "fibers." It twisted the "fibers" together and made a needle-like tail which it stuck into the top of the log. I thought at first it might be laying eggs - but I watched and photographed it for almost two hours and it didn't tire of it's ritual. What is it? It was certainly beautiful with it's iridescent wings, colorful body, and amazing "tail!"

Images of this individual: tag all
Winged bug on a stump... what is it? - Megarhyssa macrurus Winged bug on a stump... what is it? - Megarhyssa macrurus - female

Moved

Ichneumon wasp
Thanks for helping ID this lady. Now I need to read some more about her. She fascinated me and I think she is incredibly beautiful.

Megarhyssa sp.
an ichneumon wasp

Megarhyssa?
Oh would I love to find one of these to photograph! Check out Megarhyssa .

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