Giant ichneumonid
![](https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0015/2832/varieties/thumb200.jpg)
Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni (Cresson)
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Ichneumonidae
Size range
- Body length 15–45 mm. Ovipositor twice as long as body.
Distribution
- Introduced from North America in 1962 and 1964.Now established in many forest areas.
Life History
- One of several parasites of larval wood wasp, Sirex noctilio
- Long ovipositor to deposit eggs on Sirex grubs deep in timber
- Adults feed on nectar or honeydew