Ichneumonid Wasp

[Rotarran]

Saw this cool Ichneumonid Wasp yesterday morning.  Unfortunately it was trapped in the building's parking garage and I wasn't able to help it escape.  But I did manage a few photographs.  It has a long stinger with which it delivers its egg into an insect or larva.  Then the wasp's own larva is born and eats its host from the inside out.  I've never seen this particular wasp before even though apparently it's quite common.

[CJ McRae]

Yes they are actually pretty common but I haven't seen many before. Most people are terrified of this wasp because they mistake the long ovipositor as a stinger. It does not have any stinging abilities and is used to deposit eggs.