[CJW]

Taken today on the IOM.
Head/Body = 3.2cm
Ovipositor = 3.7cm

[CJW]

It's OK, I've found it!
Sabre Wasp Rhyssa persuasoria

http://www.offwell.free-online.co.uk...ge/ichneum.htm

[Michael Frankis]

Ah good ol' Rhyssa persuasoria . . . . a parasitic wasp that lays its eggs on Sirex gigas wood-wasp larvae . . . remember them from forestry entomology at University

Michael

[CJW]

Now, I don't actively go looking for these things, but I do keep my eyes open and am fairly observant. So I can't believe I haven't seen one before if, as I've read, they're supposed to be common.
An amazing creature.

[Michael Frankis]

I wouldn't call them common - regular, yes, but not common. Most likely in mature pine forest, but also in other conifers.

Wait until you find a Sirex gigas . . . now there's a huge beastie!

Michael

[CJW]

Seen them, Michael - in fact they ARE common. So I suppose that would explain the presence of the Sabre.

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Michael Frankis

Ah good ol' Rhyssa persuasoria . . . . a parasitic wasp that lays its eggs on Sirex gigas wood-wasp larvae . . . remember them from forestry entomology at University

Michael

That must have been a long time ago Michael, those damn systematists changed the name to Uroceras gigas ages ago, well at least ten years ago. lol.

Chris, your specimen of Rhyssa persuasoria is a female by the way, the males don't have that long ovipositor.

I see both species with great frequency, but then I do spend a lot of time in the Northumberland forests. It makes you wonder how a weak and fragile species like Rhyssa can stick that ovipositor at least half an inch into solid wood, and withdraw it again. Try doing that yourself with a thin pin and finger pressure alone.

I once let a specimen of U.gigas loose accidently in a pub, it emptied the bar faster than a lit fuse on a stick of dynamite could have done. lol.

Harry

[christineredgate]

It has hitched a ride on one of the TT bikes ,Chris!!
Sorry to keep reminding you !!

[steve_nova]

I beleive that the wasp vibrates it's ovipositer at high fequency also with a twisting motion like a pneumatic drill? I may be wrong on this....

Fascinating beast all the same.

Harry, that story reminds me of another a mate told me once. As a kid he had collected some Great Diving Beetles from the local pond intenting to keep them in a tank for a few days in his bedroom.
One evening he must have left the lid off the tank by mistake as he woke up to the sound of whirring wings! He was out of his room like a shot too as those beggars can give you a nast nip!

[CJW]

Originally Posted by christineredgate

It has hitched a ride on one of the TT bikes ,Chris!!
Sorry to keep reminding you !!

Believe me, I don't need reminding, Christine.
Fatality count so far for the last 10 days or so is up at around 8 (only 2 racers).

[christineredgate]

Originally Posted by CJW

Believe me, I don't need reminding, Christine.
Fatality count so far for the last 10 days or so is up at around 8 (only 2 racers).

CJ ,I do hope you are not serious,

[CJW]

I'm perfectly serious Christine.
But this isn't the place to discuss such matters.