Giant Woodwasp
ExploreInsects
Giant Woodwasp
Urocerus gigas
The Giant Woodwasp is a big, fascinating insect that loves to live in trees. It has a long body and can be found buzzing around in forests, making it a special part of nature!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Giant Woodwasp has a robust, cylindrical body typically striped black and bright yellow, with smoky-brown wings. Females possess an incredibly long, needle-like ovipositor extending from their rear, often mistaken for a sting, making them visually distinct.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilySiricidaeGenusUrocerus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its giant 'stinger', the female woodwasp cannot sting humans!
Female woodwasps carry tiny fungi to plant with their eggs, aiding wood digestion!
Its larvae live inside wood for years, sometimes up to three, before emerging!
They are attracted to recently dead or dying conifer trees for their nurseries!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Driller
Giant Woodwasp females can drill deep into dead wood using their tough ovipositor to lay eggs, reaching their food source.
Ability
Wood Digestion
Giant Woodwasp larvae can digest tough wood because they carry helpful fungi that break down the plant material for them.
Ability
Forest Recycler
Giant Woodwasp larvae help clear forests by tunneling through dead timber, speeding up its natural breakdown.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 40-80 mm
- Size
- 20-40 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-30 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Larvae munch on dead wood, while adult Giant Woodwasps eat little to nothing.
Age differences: Larvae consume wood, but adults are non-feeding or only consume small amounts of sap.
Primary Foods
- Coniferous Wood
- Pine
- Spruce
- Fir
- Larch
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Giant Ichneumon Wasp
Rhyssa persuasoria
Lays eggs on Giant Woodwasp larvae inside wood.
eats
Three-toed Woodpecker
Picoides tridactylus
Drills into wood to find and eat woodwasp larvae.
symbiotic with
Wood Rot Fungus
Amylostereum areolatum
Wasp carries fungus; fungus helps larvae digest wood.
eats
Scots Pine
Pinus sylvestris
Larvae tunnel through and consume the wood of dead pines.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
It's best to watch these wasps from a distance and not touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Giant Woodwasp's wingspan?
40-80 mm
How big is Giant Woodwasp?
20-40 mm
How long does Giant Woodwasp live?
10-30 days
What does Giant Woodwasp eat?
Larvae munch on dead wood, while adult Giant Woodwasps eat little to nothing.
Where is Giant Woodwasp usually found?
Forests
How many legs does Giant Woodwasp have?
6
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