Rhyssella nitida

(Cresson, 1864)

Rhyssella nitida is a ichneumon in the Ichneumonidae. The female possesses an exceptionally long ovipositor used to drill into wood and locate larvae. It is an external of wood-wasp larvae in the Xiphydria. The has been documented at blacklight traps, though this appears to be an exception to its normally diurnal activity pattern.

Ichneumon wasp - Rhyssella nitida, Woodbridge, Virginia - 8651716110 by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Rhyssella nitida - Guelph, Ontario 2016-05-29 (01) by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Rhyssella nitida - Guelph, Ontario 2016-05-29 (02) by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Rhyssella nitida: /rɪˈsɛl.ə ˈnɪ.tɪ.də/

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Identification

Distinguished from similar ichneumonids by its and association with wood- . The long ovipositor is characteristic of the Rhyssella. Separation from related genera such as Rhyssa requires examination of morphological details including ovipositor structure and body proportions.

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Habitat

Forested areas with standing dead timber and logs containing wood- larvae. Associated with supporting Xiphydria wood-wasps.

Distribution

Recorded from North America, including Kansas and California. The specific range boundaries remain incompletely documented.

Seasonality

Observed in early spring; one record from March 31 in Kansas.

Host Associations

  • Xiphydria - Female drills into logs and dead trees to reach wood- larvae; lays single on ; larva feeds as external , killing the host

Behavior

. Females use the long ovipositor to drill through wood to reach concealed larvae. Has been observed visiting blacklight traps, though this is atypical given its daytime activity pattern.

Ecological Role

agent of wood-. Functions as an external , regulating of Xiphydria larvae in dead and decaying wood.

Similar Taxa

  • Ophion spp. ichneumonid wasps frequently captured at blacklights; distinguished by nocturnal activity and different associations
  • Rhyssa spp.Larger relatives with similar wood-boring habits; differ in size and specific morphological features of the ovipositor and body
  • Xiphydria spp.Wood- that serve as ; are the prey, not the , and have different body form and

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