Never seen a bug like this, it has wings too

  • Bags@piefed.socialEnglish
    16·
    2 days ago

    I think it looks like some kind of parasitic wasp, based on the long rear tubule thing (used for injecting eggs into the host, called an ovipositor) and the generally wasp-like body shape.

    Don’t worry, it doesn’t sting or parasitize humans.
    Very beneficial as they are pollinators, feeding on nectar, and also pest control, as depending on their host, is a major population control mechanism in some pest insect species. The reason Spotted Lantern Flies are so invasive in the Eastern USA is that in their home range, they are controlled by 2 species of parasitic wasp that control their spread, but these wasps haven’t yet made the jump to or adapted to the region yet.

    • tal@olio.cafeEnglish
      2·
      1 day ago

      Don’t worry, it doesn’t sting or parasitize humans.

      I can believe that one could know that there are no wasps that parasitize humans in that region, but how can you know that it doesn’t sting humans without knowing the type of wasp involved?

        • tal@olio.cafeEnglish
          1·
          1 day ago

          Okay, I’m no wasp expert, but that sounds plausible.

          kagis

          …but it sounds like at least some parasitic wasps do sting humans, even if their sting isn’t a big deal.

          https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/ichneumonid-wasp

          • Megarhyssa is a large wasp found on declining or recently dead hardwood trees between May and July.
          • It parasitizes horntails present in declining trees, but does not injure trees.
          • Harmless to people and ignores people when possible.
          • If mishandled, it may sting to protect itself.

          • Although ichneumonid wasps appear dangerous due to their large size, they are not harmful to people.

          • The wasp may jab with its ovipositor in self-defense. This will generally result only in a minor wound.

          And that thing looks like it’s got a larger ovipositor than the one the wasp has in OP’s picture:

          The ovipositor is 2-3 inches long.

    • PlaidBaron@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      2 days ago

      I will refrain from making an Ontario joke involving parastic wasps. But damn, its difficult not to.