Short-tailed Ichneumon Wasp

Forests, woodlands, and gardens; often attracted to artificial lights at night.

Adults feed on nectar and water; larvae are internal parasitoids of moth caterpillars.

Night-flying (nocturnal) and attracted to porch lights. Females use a long ovipositor to lay eggs inside host insects. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Generally beneficial as they control caterpillar populations. While they lack a true venomous stinger like social wasps, females can occasionally prick human skin with their ovipositor if handled roughly.