Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Ophion sp. (Ichneumon Wasp)

These solitary wasps are, for the most part, small and have more slender bodies and legs than do the familiar social and semisocial types. Often the abdomen is strongly compressed from side to side. They vary great in size, from small gnat-like insects to large wasps over 1 inch (25 mm) long. All ichneumons are parasitic on other insects; our most common local species belong to the genus Ophion and attack caterpillars.

Photograph by C. Hogue

The eggs are inserted into the body of the host by means of the female's short sharp ovipositor (which, incidentally, can penetrate human skin). The larvae feed on the internal tissues and, when mature, pupate within the host. Ophion adults frequently come to light at night.

© 1993 Insects of the Los Angeles Basin