# Steely-blue Woodwasp (*Sirex juvencus*) The Steely-blue Woodwasp is a shiny blue insect that loves to live in forests. It helps trees by laying eggs in wood, which can help break down old trees and make room for new ones. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Steely-blue Woodwasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sirex_juvencus_female.jpg&width=800) Photo: Fabio Stergulc, Università di Udine, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sirex_juvencus_female.jpg) ## Appearance The Steely-blue Woodwasp has a striking metallic blue or purplish-blue body, often with orange legs and a yellowish base to the abdomen, especially in males. Females possess a remarkably long, needle-like ovipositor extending beyond their body, used for egg-laying. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Siricidae - **Genus:** Sirex ## Interesting facts - Its larvae live inside wood for up to three years before emerging as adults! - The female lays eggs deep inside trees, sometimes leaving behind a tiny drill hole. - They are sometimes called 'horntails' because of a spiky horn on their tail! - Unlike many wasps, this species cannot sting you – only females have an ovipositor! ## Special abilities - **Precision Driller:** Steely-blue Woodwasp has a long, tough ovipositor that helps them bore deep into wood to lay eggs safely. - **Fungal Friend:** Steely-blue Woodwasp carries special fungus spores that help soften wood, making it easier for larvae to eat. - **Tree Whisperer:** Steely-blue Woodwasp can detect stressed trees from afar, helping them find ideal places to lay eggs. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-70 mm - **Size:** 9-38 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Larvae munch on wood inside trees, while adults usually don't eat or just sip tree sap. - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on wood, while adults typically do not feed, relying on energy reserves from the larval stage. - **Primary Foods:** conifer wood, pine wood, spruce wood - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Scots Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scots-pine) (*Pinus sylvestris*) — Larvae tunnel and feed within the heartwood of this tree. - **Eats:** [Norway Spruce](https://www.snappit.app/explore/norway-spruce) (*Picea abies*) — Larvae also target stressed or dying spruce trees. - **Eats:** European Silver Fir (*Abies alba*) — Larvae develop inside the wood of this common conifer. - **Symbiotic with:** Woodwasp Fungus (*Amylostereum areolatum*) — Female woodwasps carry spores of this fungus to soften wood for larvae. - **Parasitizes:** Ibalia Wasp (*Ibalia leucospoides*) — This parasitic wasp lays its eggs on Steely-blue Woodwasp larvae. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These insects are not dangerous, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Steely-blue Woodwasp? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Steely-blue Woodwasp's wingspan? 30-70 mm ### How big is Steely-blue Woodwasp? 9-38 mm ### How long does Steely-blue Woodwasp live? 7-30 days ### How fast can Steely-blue Woodwasp fly? 15 km/h ### What does Steely-blue Woodwasp eat? Larvae munch on wood inside trees, while adults usually don't eat or just sip tree sap. ### Where is Steely-blue Woodwasp usually found? Forests ### How does Steely-blue Woodwasp hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Steely-blue Woodwasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/steely-blue-woodwasp)