Skip to main content

Siricidae

Pronunciation:  [Së·RISS·i·dee]

Common Name:   Horntails;  Wood wasps

Description:   Horntails are relatively large insects.  They have a long, cylindrical abdomen with a distinctive “spur” on the dorsal side of the last abdominal tergite.   Most species are brown, blue, or black with yellow markings.   Females lay eggs in maple, elm, beech, and other trees.   The larvae are wood borers.

siricid01

Spot ID Key Characters:

  1. Dorsal spur at tip of abdomen
  2. Tibiae of front legs with a single apical spur
  3. Pronotum is wider than long in dorsal aspect
  4. Broad junction between thorax and abdomen

Return To:

Order:  Hymenoptera