What is this thing?

7749 readers

1 users here now

Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

mykl@lemmy.world

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

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

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Never seen a bug like this, it has wings too

top 11 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] Bags@piefed.social 17 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (3 children)

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.

[–] PlaidBaron@lemmy.world 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] jade52@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 months ago

Lol it's ok I got it

[–] usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca 4 points 3 months ago

I agree. The long ovipositor allows them to get under the bark and lay their eggs onto beetle larvae living there.

https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Ichneumon-Wasp-Odontocolon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odontocolon

[–] 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.

[–] thagoat@lemmy.sdf.org 9 points 3 months ago

Half liter bug

[–] SGforce@lemmy.ca 5 points 3 months ago

Definitely a wasp. There are millions of species so it might be difficult to narrow it down.

[–] Yupa@ani.social 1 points 3 months ago

It's Shakra

[–] damnthefilibuster@lemmy.world -2 points 3 months ago

Looks like a flying ant. They come out seasonably in various parts of the world, mostly after rains. I didn’t know Ontario had ‘em (unless I’m mistaken).

It should have a sweet sickly smell associated with it.