Ichneumon Wasp (Short-tailed)

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in forests, woodlands, and suburban gardens; often attracted to lights at night.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on nectar and honeydew; larvae are parasitoids, typically preying on the caterpillars of moths and butterflies.

Behavior Patterns

They are solitary wasps and primarily nocturnal. Females use their ovipositors to lay eggs inside or on a host insect. They are often seen resting on windows after being attracted to indoor lights.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits: Provide natural pest control by regulating caterpillar populations. Risks: Generally harmless to humans; they are not aggressive, though large females can deliver a sharp, pinprick-like sting if handled roughly (not a true sting, but a poke from the ovipositor).

Identified on: 4/16/2026