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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » "Parasitica" - Parasitoid Wasps » Braconid and Ichneumonid Wasps (Ichneumonoidea) » Ichneumonid Wasps (Ichneumonidae) » Rhyssinae » Giant Ichneumonid Wasps (Megarhyssa) » Black Giant Ichneumonid Wasp (Megarhyssa atrata)
Photo#316133
Ichneum Wasp, But Which? - Megarhyssa atrata - female
Copyright © 2009 SauriaMami

Ichneum Wasp, But Which? - Megarhyssa atrata - Female
Atchison, Atchison County, Kansas, USA
August 5, 2009
Size: 1 1/2" -ovipositor 5"
A very large female... almost 2 inches in length. When we came across her she had this 'odd' blue flat 'bubble' coming from her rear area. The ovipositor, when fully stretched was a good 5inches, was wrapped around it forming the circle.
Anyone know what this was coming out of her...which Ichneumon she is...VERY striking lady!
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Contributed by SauriaMami on 6 August, 2009 - 12:00pm
Last updated 12 September, 2009 - 9:51am

Moved
Moved from Giant Ichneumons.
… john and jane balaban, 12 September, 2009 - 9:51am login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Charley Eiseman, 12 September, 2009 - 1:51am login or register to post comments

possibly Megarhyssa atrata - Giant Ichneumon
This looks pretty similar. Wait for an expert to be sure. I don't know what the blue bubble was. Interesting.

… Andrew Williams, 6 August, 2009 - 12:07pm login or register to post comments

 
Incredible insects aren't the
Incredible insects aren't they?!?
… SauriaMami, 6 August, 2009 - 12:15pm login or register to post comments

dup comment
........
… Andrew Williams, 6 August, 2009 - 12:07pm login or register to post comments

Yes, female, Megarhyssa atrata
Our understanding from earlier comments on this genus, which you can find in the guide by searching on Megarhyssa, is that the bladder-like structure helps in some way in the process of drilling the long ovipositor through the wood to reach the the Horntail larva she is seeking. Tension, Pressure, something.
… john and jane balaban, 6 August, 2009 - 12:07pm login or register to post comments

 
Intersegmental membrane.
The intersegmental membrane is incredibly elastic in ichneumons, allowing the abdomen to "break" at the junction and generate enough force to drill without the whole apparatus flying apart.
… Eric R. Eaton, 6 August, 2009 - 3:26pm login or register to post comments

 
Would you believe, my 10 yo s
Would you believe, my 10 yo son ID'd this for me? He's a book called MiniMonsters that specializes in nature's tiniest monsters (their words...not mine)and he remembered the art work of one of these.
Great info about the ovipositor. And REALLY intimidating to know? The tips are covered in manganese and zinc! Talk about heavy-duty!
… SauriaMami, 6 August, 2009 - 12:18pm login or register to post comments

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