Insects and Spiders - invasive

Pigeon Horntail (Tremex columba) on Aug 10, 2020

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

Wasp like insect much longer/larger than a normal wasp found in our area. HUGE stinger. Our previous encounter in March of this type of insect had a very loud and deep buzz when flying around.

Commentary

Dear Jon, fortunately, this is not the invasive Asian Giant Hornet. The long "stinger" gave it away. It is actually not a stinger but an ovipositor, with which this female lays eggs under the bark. Wood wasps are harmless and cannot sting. Females have long “stingers” which are actually drills for placing eggs under the bark of very stressed, dying, or recently dead broadleaved trees such as cottonwoods. The larvae hatching from these eggs bore into the wood of these trees. I can't be sure just from the pictures, but it seems like a native Tremex species, maybe Tremex columba, a horntail wood wasp. Thank you, Helmuth

Helmuth Rogg
Aug. 10, 2020, 7:26 a.m.