Sabre Wasp
Rhyssa persuasoria
This record describes Rhyssa persuasoria (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Sometimes called the Giant Ichneumon, this is the largest ichneumon in Britain and one of the largest in Europe (10–40 mm). An easy species to identify due to the striking pattern of small white spots along the entire length of the thin, black body (not just the abdomen), red legs, long ovipositor and large size . If you look closely you should also see it has transverse ridges on the top of the thorax, at the front, which it uses to brace itself as it emerges from the wooden burrow it has pupated. Large females are the largest ichneumonids in Britain, though some can be considerably smaller. The ovipositor is longer than the length of the body. It is normally found in coniferous or mixed woodland It searches for the larvae of Horntails or Longhorn Beetles which have buried in fallen timber. The female then uses her ovipositor to drill down to the larvae and then lay an egg which hatches and parasitise the host. Local but fairly frequent and widespread in Britain No additional images available for this species.
Wikipedia reference for Rhyssa persuasoria: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyssa_persuasoria.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Rhyssinae
- Genus
- Rhyssa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It is normally found in coniferous or mixed woodland
Seasonal Activity
Peaking in July and August
Diet and Behavior
Life History
It searches for the larvae of Horntails or Longhorn Beetles which have buried in fallen timber. The female then uses her ovipositor to drill down to the larvae and then lay an egg which hatches and parasitise the host.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Local but fairly frequent and widespread in Britain
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Rhyssa persuasoria. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Sabre Wasp (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Sabre Wasp
What is Sabre Wasp?
Sabre Wasp (Rhyssa persuasoria) is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Sabre Wasp found?
Habitat: It is normally found in coniferous or mixed woodland
When is Sabre Wasp active?
Sabre Wasp: seasonal activity - Peaking in July and August.
What is the life cycle of a Sabre Wasp?
It searches for the larvae of Horntails or Longhorn Beetles which have buried in fallen timber. The female then uses her ovipositor to drill down to the larvae and then lay an egg which hatches and parasitise the host.