Megarhyssa atrata, also known as the black giant ichneumonid wasp, is a species of large ichneumon wasp. It is known from North America,[1] where it is found from Quebec, Michigan, Ohio and North and South Carolina to Florida.[2]

Megarhyssa atrata
Megarhyssa atrata female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Ichneumonidae
Subfamily: Rhyssinae
Genus: Megarhyssa
Species:
M. atrata
Binomial name
Megarhyssa atrata
(Fabricius, 1781)
Synonyms
  • Ichneumon atratus Fabricius, 1781

Adults are on wing from May to July.[citation needed]

Behavior

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The larvae are parasitoids of the larvae of the woodwasp Tremex columba in dead deciduous trees.[3]

Female M. atrata burrow into wood with their ovipositor while secreting a substance that breaks down the wood.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Megarhyssa atrata at www.insectimages.org.
  2. ^ "Bug Guide". Bug Guide. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Le Lannic, Joseph; Nénon, J.-P. (1999-10-01). "Functional morphology of the ovipositor in Megarhyssa atrata (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) and its penetration into wood". Zoomorphology. 119 (2): 73–79. doi:10.1007/s004350050082. ISSN 1432-234X.