Giant Ichneumon - Megarhyssa atrata

Moved

Moved from Megarhyssa macrurus.

Coloration of forewing and hind femur are indicative of atrata

… Bob Carlson, 19 December, 2009 - 2:59pm

Moved

Moved from Orange and Brown.

… john and jane balaban, 23 October, 2006 - 5:30pm

Giant Ichneumon--Megarhyssa

Looks like a male Megarhyssa. See this photo.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

… Cotinis, 5 August, 2004 - 9:09am

Thanks

Thank you Patrick.

I've been depending mostly on the web to help ID wasps and spider. Are there any good reference books anyone can recommend? Actually, better web site addresses would be appreciated as well.

… Steve Nanz, 6 August, 2004 - 4:24am

References

The info page for each group usually lists the print and Internet references when somebody finds good ones. That is the best place to go.

… Beatriz Moisset, 7 December, 2005 - 8:55am

reference books, web sites--tough question

Well, you can spend a lot of money on reference books. There are so many insects in North America that you really have to pick specific groups to get any thorough coverage, and there are only books useful for the amateur on a few groups, such as butterflies and dragonflies. For my money, the best inexpensive book that introduces a variety of insects is Milne and Milne's Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. (1) They did a real good job of picking out notable species. Also good is Arnett and Jacques, Simon and Shuster's Guide. (2) Papp's Comprehensive Guide to North American Insects is probably very good, but I have not seen it, and it is expensive. (3) Illustrations are line drawings. I could go on and on, it depends on the group you are interested in. (Click on the citation numbers to go to a BugGuide reference on the book.)

Websites. I think you've found the two best web sites: Insects of Cedar Creek and BugGuide. I think these are the most comprehensive sites around with lots of photographs.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

… Cotinis, 6 August, 2004 - 5:57am

It is:-)

Nice call, Pat. This is a male of a Megarhyssa sp.

… Eric R. Eaton, 5 August, 2004 - 11:47am