07_06_27_007_small
Reputation: 338

What is this bug?

Not to get all Lindy on you, but what the hell is this bug and can it kill me or my 6 year old if it stung us in the head?

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5 Answers

  • Lilpiratehead_small
    Reputation: 261

    I think what you have there is a wood wasp.

    The good news is, that tail ain't for stinging.

    The following is from a page called "Major Pests of British Columbia's Forests."

    "Wood Wasp - Attacks dead and dying conifers, especially fire-kill or salvaged timber. The long "stinger' is actually an ovipositor, used to inject eggs into the sapwood of trees."

    Call an exterminator and tell them what you think you have. I would try Cascade Pest Control - http://www.cascadepest.com/

    There is a mention on Yelp from a few days ago. One Yelper says CPC took his bug and evaluated it for free. Their Google ad said free inspection, but their site doesn't. Could just be an oversight. Ask about it.

    Boy that bug is creepy. But on the plus side, we all learned a cool new word - ovipositor. Looking forward to working that into conversations.

    Report back on how this goes please.

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  • Lookalikes_small
    Reputation: 2589

    Buzzy's right, definitely some form of wood wasp. While all wasps CAN sting, a lot of them don't usually do so. Luckily, they aren't colony nesters like hornets and yellowjackets; they're usually solitary.

    BTW, great juxtaposition of the magazine title.

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  • Janinepierced_small
    Reputation: 292

    The scientific name is an Ichneumon wasp.
    See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichneumon_wasp

    They are harmless to humans and actually useful for pest control.

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  • 3899952594_8afb14035e_small
    Reputation: 212

    One of those stung or bit me when I was seven. I remember every detail to this day. It hurts like hell, but unless there's some unknown allergy everything will be fine.
    If you do get stung whip up some baking soda and water paste and put it on. It helps draw out whatever shouldn't be in there.

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  • Thh_jpeg_small
    Reputation: 55

    You are safer than any generation of people has ever been.

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