Sirex varipes
Walker, 1866
Sirex varipes is a of horntail woodwasp in the Siricidae. Like other members of its , it is a non-venomous, wood-boring that lays in dead, dying, or weakened hardwood trees. The species is native to western North America, with confirmed records from Canada including Alberta and British Columbia. are typically encountered in late summer and fall. The involves a fungal that aids larval development in wood.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Sirex varipes: /ˈsaɪrɛks ˈvɛərɪpiːz/
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Images
Distribution
Western North America. Documented from Canada: Alberta and British Columbia. GBIF records indicate occurrence in Norway (NO), though this may represent introduced or misidentified specimens.
Seasonality
are active in late summer and fall, consistent with the of other Sirex .
Similar Taxa
- Sirex noctilioIntroduced in some regions; S. varipes is native and can be distinguished by geographic range and subtle morphological differences, though detailed comparison requires expert examination
- Tremex columbaAnother siricid woodwasp with similar wood-boring , but belongs to different with distinct morphological features including differences in ovipositor structure and body coloration
- Urocerus californicusWestern North American siricid that overlaps in range; can be distinguished by coloration and body proportions, though field identification is challenging without close examination