Ichneumon Wasp (Short-tailed)

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

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

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.

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).