A large, mostly black wasp about an inch in length excluding the antennae and ovipositor. The black antennae have a wide white mid-stripe. The legs are black and white striped. Females have a wire thin ovipositor at the end of the abdomen that is as long as the wasp.
Uncommon. Females can occasionally be seen crawling around tree trunks tapping their antennae back and forth searching for vibrations made by the movement of larvae inside the tree. The individual shown in the photographs was seen ovipositing in Fontenelle Forest in late August.
Members of the genus Xorides are beneficial insects that prey on the larvae of wood-boring beetles and Horntail wasps. Females use the long ovipositor to drill into the tree and lay eggs on the larvae, a process that can take over an hour. While they are drilling into a tree trunk they are extremely vulnerable to predation. Though they may look threatening, these wasps do not sting and are harmless to humans.
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.