🐝 Ants, Bees & Wasps

Yellow-Legged Horntail

Urocerus augur

About Yellow-Legged Horntail

A large, dark-bodied wood wasp with bright yellow legs that contrast sharply with its blue-black body. Found primarily in conifer forests of eastern Asia.

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Did You Know?

Like all horntails, the short horn-like projection at the tail is not a stinger but a structural feature called a cornus, present in both sexes.

How to Identify Yellow-Legged Horntail

Yellow-Legged Horntail (Urocerus augur) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Siricidae. Adults typically measure 20-30 mm.

Yellow-Legged Horntail Habitat

Yellow-Legged Horntail is found in forests habitats, particularly across East Asia, Japan. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

Yellow-Legged Horntail Diet and Feeding

Yellow-Legged Horntail feeds on wood and bark, often boring into timber. Wood-feeding insects contribute to the decomposition of dead trees and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.

Where Is Yellow-Legged Horntail Found?

Yellow-Legged Horntail can be found in East Asia, Japan, where it inhabits forests environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where Yellow-Legged Horntail can be found

Is Yellow-Legged Horntail Dangerous?

Yellow-Legged Horntail belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes many stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled. Stings can cause pain and swelling, and in rare cases may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Yellow-Legged Horntail Role in Nature

Yellow-Legged Horntail is part of the food web as a primary consumer, feeding on plant material. It serves as an important food source for birds, bats, amphibians, and other insectivores, connecting plant energy to higher trophic levels.

Seasonal Activity

Jan
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Aug
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Dec
Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow-Legged Horntail

What does Yellow-Legged Horntail look like?

The Yellow-Legged Horntail typically measures 20-30 mm.

Where is Yellow-Legged Horntail found?

The Yellow-Legged Horntail is found in East Asia, Japan and typically inhabits forests environments.

What does Yellow-Legged Horntail eat?

The Yellow-Legged Horntail feeds on wood and bark, often boring into timber.

Is Yellow-Legged Horntail dangerous to humans?

The Yellow-Legged Horntail belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled.

What is an interesting fact about Yellow-Legged Horntail?

Like all horntails, the short horn-like projection at the tail is not a stinger but a structural feature called a cornus, present in both sexes.

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Yellow-Legged Horntail (Urocerus augur). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/yellow-legged-horntail

MLA:
"Yellow-Legged Horntail." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/yellow-legged-horntail.