Ichneumon Wasp vs Eastern Carpenter Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ichneumon Wasp | Eastern Carpenter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megarhyssa macrurus | Xylocopa virginica |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Apidae |
| Size | 25-50 mm body plus 100+ mm ovipositor | 19-23 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Gardens |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Ichneumon Wasp
A large parasitoid wasp with an extremely long, thread-like ovipositor that can exceed the length of its body. Females drill through solid wood to reach their host larvae deep inside.
Did You Know?
The female can somehow detect horntail larvae vibrations through several centimeters of solid wood and then drill her flexible ovipositor to reach them with remarkable accuracy.
Eastern Carpenter Bee
A large robust bee that resembles a bumble bee but has a shiny black hairless abdomen. It excavates nesting tunnels in wood and is an effective pollinator of many garden flowers and crops.
Did You Know?
Males are extremely territorial and will hover aggressively near people, but they lack a stinger and cannot sting.