What Are Wood Wasps?
One of the more unusual insects you are likely to see is the wood wasp. The terms wood wasp and horntail describe wood-boring insects in the families Siricidae, Xiphydriidae, Anaxyelidae, and Orussidea. They are not wasps at all. You are most likely to see these large insects that normally are attracted to and complete their life cycles in recently dead or dying conifer trees. Timber, salvaged from fire damaged forests may be processed into infested lumber that can eventually lead to emergence of adult wasps in completed buildings. These insects are nuisance invaders and are not harmful to humans.
Wood wasps are 1-inch in length, have an elongated, cylindrical body without a noticeable constricted “waist.” They are often black or metallic in color. They buzz while flying. The female is large and has a long ovipositor, which is used only for egg laying and cannot be used to sting in defense. … Read Full Post »