LogFAQs > #904619151

Zeeak4444 posted...

ImTheMacheteGuy posted...

Zeeak4444 posted...

I saw a gnarly one today at work. It was almost all black with little yellow stripes/spots. Thing was almost the size of my index finger (about 3/4ths). Never saw one like that before.

Noped the fuck out of there.

Was the abdomen extremely long and thin? If so, could have been an American Pelecinid (not sure on spelling). I've seen both those and the Giant Ichneumon and they are terrifying as fuck (even though Ichneumons don't sting. Not sure about the other one)

Ya super long and thin. I'll look that up real quick and check.

Edit: yup, it was that little fucker alright.

Second edit: wait, do they all have those wings that look like dragonflies? This ones wings didn't look so clear like that and I the stinger didn't curl.

It doesn't curl while they are flying, but yes, in flight they do kinda look dragonflyish, more like damselflies, which are similar but thinner like these fuckers. The curl is sorta their "signature" look but they aren't always like that. Same with ichneumons. The wasp is normally probably 4-5 inches long with the ovipositor extended and just looks like a normal wasp with a long-ass thing sticking out of it, but when laying eggs, they are hunched up with the ovipositor curled around and stuck down into the wood, which has a very distinct look and they are often photographed in that pose.

Edit: looks like the long abdomen is in fact for ovipositing. The males have a more traditional wasp appearance (and are apparently rare and eggs don't need to be fertilized. Didn't know that before lol)
---

Place-holder sig because new phone and old sigs not saved :/