Megarhyssa greenei

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Megarhyssa greenei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Ichneumonidae
Subfamily: Rhyssinae
Genus: Megarhyssa
Species:
M. greenei
Binomial name
Megarhyssa greenei
Viereck, 1911

Megarhyssa greenei, also known as Greene's giant ichneumonid wasp, is a species of large ichneumon wasp. It is known from the United States and Canada.[1]

Description and identification[edit]

It is very similar in appearance to Megarhyssa macrurus, but the latter species has a relatively longer ovipositor (about 2x the total body length, where greenei is only slightly greater than 1x), and usually has more extensive dark wing markings. M. greenei also lacks the dark striping on the face present on M. macrurus.[2]

Ecology[edit]

M. greenei is a parasitoid wasp, and its host is Tremex columba, a sawfly.[2] Females must find a larva of this species, and lay an egg close by or on it. The larva of Megarhyssa devours it, it pupates under the bark of trees, and it emerges as an adult one year later.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Megarhyssa greenei at www.insectimages.org.
  2. ^ a b Pook, Victoria; Sharkey, Michael; Wahl, David (2016-01-04). "Key to the species of Megarhyssa (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Rhyssinae) in America, north of Mexico". Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 63 (1): 137–148. doi:10.3897/dez.63.7619. ISSN 1860-1324.
  3. ^ Stillwell, M. A. (July 1967). "The Pigeon Tremex, Tremex columba (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), in New Brunswick". The Canadian Entomologist. 99 (7): 685–689. doi:10.4039/Ent99685-7. ISSN 0008-347X.

External links[edit]

Photos on BugGuide.net