Long-ovipositor
Guides
Acanthochalcis unispinosa
Acanthochalcis unispinosa is a large chalcidid wasp distinguished from its congener A. nigricans by the absence of white pubescent patches on the abdomen. It ranges from Texas to California and is a known parasitoid of jewel beetles (Buprestidae), particularly species in the genus Chrysobothris. The genus is notable among chalcidids for its large body size and extraordinarily long ovipositor, adaptations for reaching wood-boring beetle larvae in their galleries.
Dolichomitus irritator
Dolichomitus irritator is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Fabricius in 1775. It belongs to a genus characterized by exceptionally long ovipositors used to reach wood-boring host larvae deep within tree trunks. The species has been documented in North America, with observations from Kansas and surrounding regions. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a parasitoid of wood-boring insect larvae, though specific host records for this species appear limited in the available literature.
Ephialtes
Ephialtes is a genus of ichneumonid wasps (family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Pimplinae, tribe Ephialtini) established by Gravenhorst in 1829. The genus includes species that are ectoparasitoids of solitary aculeate Hymenoptera, with females possessing notably long ovipositors adapted for accessing host nests. Ephialtes manifestator, the type species and best-documented member, has been subject to genome sequencing and ecological study. The genus is distributed across Europe and has been recorded in North America.
Mogoplistidae
Scaly Crickets and Allies
Mogoplistidae is a family of scaly crickets within the superfamily Grylloidea, comprising over 370 species in approximately 30 genera worldwide. The family is considered monophyletic and sister to the true crickets (Gryllidae). Members are distinguished by scales covering the abdomen and parts of the thorax, resembling those of Lepidoptera. The family includes three subfamilies: Mogoplistinae, Malgasiinae (restricted to Madagascar and Indian Ocean islands), and the extinct †Protomogoplistinae known from Burmese amber.
OrthopteraGrylloideascaly-cricketscoastalbeach-specialistdriftwood-dependentrare-speciesUK-protected-speciesMediterraneanAtlantic-coastMadagascar-endemicBurmese-amber-fossilscale-coveringLepidoptera-like-scalesomnivorousnocturnallong-ovipositoregg-development-one-yearshingle-habitatcobble-beachesstrandline-invertebrateconservation-concernbeach-cleaning-threatdriftwood-burning-threatRhyssella humida
Rhyssella humida is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. Females possess an exceptionally long ovipositor used to drill into wood to reach host larvae. The species is diurnal and has been documented in North American forested habitats.
Rhyssinae
Rhyssinae is a subfamily of parasitoid wasps within Ichneumonidae, comprising approximately 450 described species across eight genera worldwide. Members are characterized by extremely long ovipositors used by females to drill into wood and parasitize larvae of wood-boring insects, particularly Siricidae (woodwasps) and wood-boring beetles. The subfamily shows highest species diversity in the Oriental region, with significant representation in tropical forests of South America and Africa. Fossil evidence dates the subfamily to the Eocene, approximately 47 million years ago.