Netelia johnsoni

(Ashmead, 1900)

Netelia johnsoni is a of ichneumon in the Tryphoninae, described by Ashmead in 1900. It is a wasp with a painful defensive sting that has been documented from Edmonton, Canada, though the Netelia is more broadly distributed across North America north of Mexico with 73 species in six subgenera. Females use their sting primarily to temporarily paralyze caterpillar for oviposition, but will sting humans if handled carelessly or trapped against skin.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Netelia johnsoni: /nɪˈtɛliə ˈdʒɒnsənaɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Netelia can be distinguished from superficially similar nocturnal ichneumon wasps in the Ophioninae by their longer, more prominent ovipositor and slightly smaller body size. Ophioninae typically have very short or barely evident ovipositors. Netelia species are usually uniformly orange in color with long and large ocelli arranged in a triangle on the . The Netelia is placed in subfamily Tryphoninae based on morphological characters including the structure of the ovipositor and larval development mode.

Distribution

Documented from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada based on GBIF distribution records. The Netelia occurs across North America north of Mexico.

Diet

Females sting and temporarily paralyze large caterpillars, then lay a stalked on the . The stalked egg has an elastic coil that later becomes rigid, anchoring firmly to the caterpillar's flexible . The larva hatches and feeds externally on the caterpillar as a koinobiont , allowing the host to continue growing normally while being consumed.

Life Cycle

are stalked and externally attached to caterpillar . The larva remains attached to the egg via specialized bristles on its end and feeds externally on the host. Netelia are koinobiont , meaning they do not arrest host development. Specific details of and for N. johnsoni are not documented.

Behavior

; attracted to artificial lights at night. Females can deliver a painful sting if handled carelessly or trapped against skin, and will sting repeatedly when threatened. Multiple anecdotal reports suggest defensive stinging when the becomes trapped in clothing or bedding, though the sting is used primarily for parasitization rather than .

Ecological Role

agent of caterpillar through external . As a koinobiont , it regulates herbivorous lepidopteran populations while allowing growth, potentially maintaining more stable host-parasitoid dynamics than idiobiont parasitoids.

Human Relevance

Documented to cause painful defensive stings when trapped against human skin or handled; sting pain is typically short-lived but can cause localized swelling and, in sensitive individuals, more pronounced reactions. Attracted to porch lights and indoor lighting, occasionally entering homes and causing concern. Not known to be dangerously venomous to healthy humans. Frequently mistaken for crane flies or other harmless insects due to its gangly appearance.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

A common misconception is that the sting injects into humans; the ovipositor is used solely for caterpillar , and defensive stings to humans do not involve egg deposition. Another misconception is that these are aggressive; they sting defensively when trapped or handled, not as unprovoked attacks.

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The was described by William H. Ashmead in 1900. The Netelia currently contains 73 species in six subgenera in North America north of Mexico according to Carlson (2009).

Sting Characteristics

The sting has been described as 'hot burning pain' with effects lasting 10-15 minutes in some cases, though individual reactions vary. Multiple stings have been reported when become trapped in clothing.

Observation Data Limitation

iNaturalist shows zero observations for this specific , suggesting it is rarely encountered or documented by citizen scientists, or may be underreported due to confusion with similar .

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Sources and further reading