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Giant Woodwasp (Urocerus gigas L.)This woodwasp was brought into the museum in 1941 for identification. The enquirer was concerned that the insect may have been a weapon dropped by an enemy airplane. Due to their fearsome appearance and large size (around 4cm), we often receive enquiries from people who have found woodwasps. Although related to true wasps, they are in fact harmless. The impressive spine at the rear is not a sting but is used for depositing eggs in timber, where the young complete their development. This can take as long as five years, and sometimes results in the adult emerging from timber that has been used in construction, or even to build furniture. Learn more about woodwasps on uksafari.co.uk |
