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]
| Megarhyssa greenei | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific 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
| |
Description and identification
editIt 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
editM. 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- ^ Megarhyssa greenei at www.insectimages.org.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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
editPhotos on BugGuide.net