The bizarre Wood Wasp
Unlike other wasp species, the Wood Wasp or Giant Horntail has no clear abdominal segmentation and instead has a long circular body. This is because it’s not strictly a wasp. More accurately a primitive member of the Wasp order ‘Hymenoptera’. Most people assume the large needle like form protruding from the Wood wasp is a stinger. This however is not the case as it is a modified and incredibly long ovipositor (egg laying tube). The common name – ‘Horntail’ is based upon this