ICHNEUMON
Ichneumon
ICHNEUMON WASP FAMILY (Ichneumonidae)
A small black wasp with clear wings and orange legs. Approximately 1/2 inch long with a short ovipositor. This wasp is a member of the Pimplinae subfamily and Ephialtini tribe. It was identified by experts at BugGuide. Most species of Ichneumon wasps cannot be identified to genus or species level by photographs.
Members of this subfamily and tribe are widespread across North America. Tribe Ephialtini is by far the largest in the subfamily Pimplinae. There are 120 species in 26 genera north of Mexico. The occurrence of this wasp in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods is unknown. This wasp is only known from one sighting in Mormon Hollow in late October.
It is likely that this wasp is a parasite of the pupae of butterflies and moths or caterpillars that are about to pupate.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.