Tremecinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tremecinae: //trɪˈmɛsɪniˌi//

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Summary

The Tremecinae is a subfamily of horntails (wood wasps) within the family Siricidae, known for their unique ovipositor used for laying eggs inside trees.

Physical Characteristics

Adult horntails are typically brown, blue, or black with yellow or red parts, reaching up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long. The pigeon horntail (Tremex columba) can grow up to 5 cm (2.0 in) long (not counting the ovipositor).

Identification Tips

Look for stout, spine-like structures at the end of the abdomen, which are present in both sexes. Though they resemble wasps, they are a type of wood-eating sawfly.

Habitat

Infests both conifers and broad-leaved trees.

Distribution

Found primarily in Eurasia and Sub-Saharan Africa; approximately 8 species in 3 genera in the area, and around 60 species in 6 genera worldwide.

Diet

Larvae bore into wood, feeding on the tree.

Life Cycle

The life cycle typically requires two years, with larvae living inside the wood for up to two years before pupation.

Reproduction

Female horntails lay their eggs in the wood of trees, boring holes through the bark to reach suitable substrate.

Predators

Ichneumon wasp (Rhyssa persuasoria) lays parasitoid grubs in Sirex, which kill them.

Ecosystem Role

Acts as a wood-decomposing agent and influences forest ecology by infesting and potentially damaging trees.

Economic Impact

Wood-rotting fungi associated with horntail larvae cause rapid deterioration of wood, affecting timber salvage opportunities.

Evolution

Previously thought to solely represent the superfamily Siricoidea; part of a historical lineage that has included fossil genera.

Misconceptions

Despite being called wood wasps, they are not true wasps but are non-social species of sawflies.

Tags

• Tremecinae
• wood wasp
• Siricidae
• insect
• Hymenoptera