What is this thing?

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Ontarrible Canada, what bug is this? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 3 months ago by n3m37h@sh.itjust.works to c/whatisthisthing@lemmy.world

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Never seen a bug like this, it has wings too

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[–] tal@olio.cafe 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

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?

[–] Jerb322@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Because of the size of the ovipositor(egg placer).

[–] tal@olio.cafe 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months 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.