Horntail / Wood Wasp

Forests and wooded areas, often found around decaying trees, logs, and lumber.

Larvae feed on wood that has been pre-digested by a symbiotic fungus carried by the female. Adults generally do not feed or only consume liquids like water.

Females use a long ovipositor to drill holes deep into wood to lay eggs along with fungal spores. The larvae tunnel extensively through the wood.

Risks include potential damage to stressed trees and timber structures due to larval boring. They do not sting humans, as their ovipositor is strictly adapted for wood-boring, though females may cause a harmless pinch if handled.