These stinging picnic pests don’t deserve our enmity and fear – they are impressive architects that belong to highly developed and complex societies – our expert guide to wasps looks at common species, their lifecycle and why wasps tend to sting in autumn The last tergite of the abdomen has a strong, projecting spike, thus giving the group its common name of horntail. I thought someone was playing with a drone !!! 26.10.2020 in Blog. Identification: peak times for observing are July and August. She pulled over before capturing the horror movie-style scene on her phone. I watched this Giant Wood Wasp (also known at a Giant Horntail) as she laid her eggs in a felled pine tree. At over 3cm long it looks quite fearsome, but it does not have a sting and is harmless. In fact it’s an ovipositor, which she uses to lay her eggs in the trunks of coniferous trees. Mr Everingham caught the bug in a plastic tub and then tried to find out what it was. Female giant wood wasp (Uroceras gigas) inserting ovipositor into tree stump to lay eggs, UK. In stinging species, only the females are provided with a formidable sting, which involves use of a modified ovipositor (egg-laying structure) for piercing and venom-producing glands. A relative of the wasps, the female is black and yellow and has a long 'sting'; this is actually her ovipositor through which she lays her eggs into wood, especially pine. The female can use her ovipositor only for egg laying; she can’t use it to sting in defense. Maybe there are times when they are more prone to defend themselves which may not have been observed officially yet. We had one of these buzzing around our garden yesterday, very interested in the wooden planters we have attached to the fence. A pest controller says he felt guilty about killing the 5,000 wasps and many more grubs after being called to the "amazing sight". The wood wasp’s life cycle begins with a fertile female adult drilling into the tree’s bark and then using her ovipositor to lay eggs. Horntail wasps are related to wasps but do not have the ability to sting or bite. The angry Asian hornets bombarded Sanchai Phaoarun, 58, with … In fact it's an ovipositor, which she uses to lay her eggsin the trunks of coniferous trees. Common in Staffordshire. The sirex woodwasp (Sirex noctilio) is a species of horntail, native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Up til now l had never seen one and feel privileged now to have done so. 26.10.2020 in They are supposed to be common in UK, but this is the first one I have seen. So I didn’t sick around Strange it was picking the blackberries off a bush it took 2 then flew away ?? What's That Bug? The Horntail, aka “giant wood wasp” or “greater horntail” is often mistaken for a wasp with its yellow and black bands. We can’t help but to be reminded of something we heard journalist Connie Schultz, wife of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, say during an interview recently regarding fake news. Despite the alarming appearance, the insect cannot sting.
2016 - Killearn, Stirling - Gordon Sim (photo) Differently, the cicada killer and wood wasps are solitary and thus do not aggressively protect their nesting sites by attacking in large numbers, Davis said. Very impressive creature so I decided to look it up and it's definitely a Giant Wood Wasp didn't get any pics though sorry. After they are stung, the female black wasp usually brings them to the nest for a bit. This forms a texture similar to paper. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This is indeed very likely as I was at the time building a fence using pine timber and it is very possible that the timber would have come into contact with my leg. Pigeon Horntail reported to have stung girl!!!! It also appears that poor grammar is rampant in your fake comment. Wasp stings can be uncomfortable, but most people recover quickly and without complications. Unless you have a wooden leg, you shouldn’t have much to worry about, however, as we are not medical doctors, should any irritation persist, you might want to seek medical attention. However when l went into the kitchen later on l heard its wings vibrating on the paper. Required fields are marked *. I am relieved to read it is not as dangerous as originally appears. As it progresses it bores a round tunnel that gets wider as the grub gets fatter. Aphids, Scale Insects, Leafhoppers, and Tree Hoppers, Fungus Beetles and Pleasing Fungus Beetles, Pantry Beetles, Grain Weevils, Spider Beetles, Meal Worms and Carpet Beetles, Crickets, Camel Crickets and Mole Crickets, Sow Bugs, Pill Bugs, Isopods, Lawn Shrimp and Amphipods, Hummingbird Moths, Sphinx Moths or Hawk Moths, Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths, Neuropterans: Lacewings, Antlions, and Owlflies, What's That Bug? Big and quite intimidating it took me the best part of the day to find out what they were. Many Thanks, Life Cycle. The Giant Wood Wasp adult lives for 7-9 days between late May to early October and its grub lives for up to three years. STING IN THE TALE Huge insect with giant stinger feared to be killer hornet found in family’s garden. Sightings of giant wasp-like insects in the northern English city of Hull have sparked fears that Asian ‘murder hornets’ have shown up on the country’s shores. The different species of wood wasp belonging to the different area. Paper Wasps and European Wasps can sting multiple times. They are called a wasp because of their resemblance to a wasp, but actually don’t sting. “If you were to be swarmed by 30 or 40 bees and be stung repetitively, yes, there is a good chance you will die." Although they do not re-infest seasoned wood such as lumber, their long life cycle may create a situation whereby live larvae remain in logs that are sawed into lumber. He explained: “But no matter how you break it down, this sting is incredibly dangerous. 1. Actually quite impressive to look. Sirex wood wasp, Sirex noctilio, is the most damaging invasive pine plantation pest in the southern hemisphere, killing millions of trees. The biggest thing to worry about with these potential pests, are the unsightly holes they can leave in the wood of your home. Although not strictly speaking a Heritage Survey, whilst undertaking a recent survey of a Edwardian house in Sussex, we were asked by our clients neighbour if we could take a quick look at and advise on a particular problem affecting her timber framed Conservatory.
When they are even older, the body bands become blue n yellow, take care! Annoyed by me capturing it to look at. "This one seems to have had an accident, sadly - it's very early for them to be dying off, so I doubt it died naturally.". Despite their appearance, these insects are quite harm How to Identify Wood Wasp. Despite their appearance, these insects are quite harm How to Identify Wood Wasp. This is her ovipositor, which she uses to penetrate into the timber to lay her eggs, specifically in timbers such as pine. Watch later. The Helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. This is a Giant Wood Wasp, Uroceras gigas, and according to the Pottery Museum website: “Flight period: May – August. The eggs are laid in the wood of conifers such as Douglas fir, pine, spruce, and larch. Asian giant hornets were first spotted in the UK in 2016, and their stings can be deadly. The giant woodwasp or horntail, Urocerus gigas, has a long ovipositor, which with its black and yellow colouration make it a good mimic of a hornet. Two huge hornets have been spotted in the UK amid fears that ... a hornet sting is more painful because their venom contains a larger amount of acetylcholine. Just days earlier, a toddler found a similar bug also with distinctive yellow legs nearby in east Hull. Dear James, This is indeed a Great Wood Wasp, and we are quite surprised to learn of your experience. Wasp stings can be uncomfortable, but most people recover quickly and without complications. Species; Additional images; Click here to support NatureSpot by making a donation - small or large - your gift is very much appreciated. The creature was "much longer" than a cotton bud, according to Ms Stoneley, with a huge stinger. Giant Scoliid Wasps, also known as Megascolia procer, are solitary wasps that can be found around Indonesia, mostly on the islands of Java and Sumatra. Horntail or wood wasp is the common name for any of the 150 non-social species of the family Siricidae, of the order Hymenoptera, a type of xylophagous sawfly.This family was formerly believed to be the sole living representative of the superfamily Siricoidea, a group well represented in Paleogene and Mesozoic times, but the family Anaxyelidae has been linked to this group as well. The giant horntail is a massive sawfly that is also known as the 'giant woodwasp' or 'greater horntail wasp'. Never seen or heard of one before.Friend of my son identified it from pic I took. giant wood wasp sting. The Asian giant hornet is a wasp that is native to forests and mountains in temperate and tropical environments in East Asia. Saw one of these yesterday and today for the first time in our garden.Had read about them earlier this year, so wasn’t too panicked!! When the larval and pupal stages are complete, adults are able to emerge inside the home. This is a very large (up to 4 cm long) sawfly with a distinctive yellow and black banded abdomen. Find the perfect giant wood wasp stock photo. benefits youngster with Autism, Eighth Recipient of the Nasty Reader Award: Pink Inchworm. giant wood wasp sting. Safely returned to the wild. There is in all 5 “sting” marks on my leg so it is possible that she has had a nibble. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The female's long, needle-like projection is not a stinger; it is an ovipositor, a narrow tube, like a drinking straw, through which she lays her eggs. Do you use pine scented soap? I have been searching the internet because I know of two different people saying they got stung, by these horntails. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. The sting … Dear Fi, This is a Giant Wood Wasp, Uroceras gigas, and according to the Pottery Museum website: “Flight period: May – August. However, females might look longer because of their ovipositors. Asian hornets are similar to European hornets but they are not native to the UK. British wasp guide: how to identify common species, lifecycle and why wasps sting in autumn. James Rowe. Giant European hornets as big as £2 coins have been seen in the UK - … Instead, the large insect that has been giving residents pause looks much more like a giant horntail wasp, a wood-eating bug which – unlike the huge hornet – is harmless to humans, according to experts. Horrifying footage has captured thousands of insects surrounding a motorist as she drove down a street in the UK. Wood-wasps, also known as giant horntails, are a type of massive sawfly that is related to wasps. Ms Stoneley said she fears the insect was an Asian giant hornet - which can kill with a single sting. Unlike bees, which can sting only once, wasps can sting multiple times. Horntail Wasp Stings. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. (The ovipositor of the female consists of three filaments. It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before. anyway to cut a long story short they hatched the scraping and movement drove me wild at night , Relieved to find that we do not have giant wood worm but giant wood wasp in our wood pile. It is rather swollen and painful. benefits youngster with Autism, Eighth Recipient of the Nasty Reader Award: Pink Inchworm. We have quite a few small conifers and one large one which died over last winter. But at least we know what it is now. Sawflies differ from wasps in that they don't have a narrow wasp-waist and the females' ovipositors are often equipped with a saw edge for cutting or drilling into wood before laying. We suppose if you were jabbed with her ovipositor accidentally, it is also possible that she deposited eggs. Wonder how they’re coping with dreadful wet weather we’re having…. These species look like a wasp but with distinction, as they have comparatively enlarged and barrel-shaped body with no waist at all. The giant horntail is a massive sawfly that is also known as the 'giant woodwasp' or 'greater horntail wasp'. "I'm 99 per cent sure it is a giant Asian killer hornet. Tags: General Wasp Insect Bug Ireland Close-up and macro Creepy crawlie Creature Sting Irish Wildlife and nature Giant wood wasp Voters: , Anthony , Jolind , MoragM and 4 more Voters The Horntail is also known as the 'Giant Wood Wasp' or 'Greater Horntail' and is a massive sawfly. But because of these accounts I was cautious to keep a distance. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Results estimated yearly cost at £10.5m for France, £8m for Italy and £7.6m for the UK. A relative of the wasps, the female is black and yellow and has a long, stinger-like tail that is actually her ovipositor, which she uses to lay her eggs into wood, particularly pine. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. We live in South Sheffield close to the Derbyshire border. However, the horntail is harmless to humans as it does not sting. The only think is we are not by woodland but the garden does back onto a patch of land that had trees on and they where cut down last year but has been left and gone wild now. Very impressive creature so I decided to look it up and it's definitely a Giant Wood Wasp didn't get any pics though sorry. They're sometimes called 'Giant Horntails' for obvious reasons. I found one on the side of my barrow which was water filled. LIFE CYCLE A female wood wasp drills her ovipositor nearly 3/4 inch into the wood of a weakened or dying tree and lays 1 to 7 eggs. The female is black and yellow and contains a long, stinger-like tail that is actually her ovipositor, which she uses to lay her eggs in to wood, specially pine. Clean Display builds brand awareness by attracting people to your ad! Just had one of these beasties in my greenhouse, 8 miles out of Aberdeen, Scotland. This is indeed a Great Wood Wasp, and we are quite surprised to learn of your experience. This is a Giant Wood Wasp, Uroceras gigas, and according to the Pottery Museum website: “Flight period: May – August. The eggs are laid in the wood of conifers such as Douglas fir, pine, spruce, and larch. Bosses at the London Beekeepers Association put … LOL…. Wasps Build Giant Nest In Woman's Spare Bed. I looked and was not sure what it was I knocked it away and in doing so unfortunately killed the insect. In a study published in the journal NeoBiota in April, French scientists evaluated the estimated cost of this non-native hornet invasion to Europe.
You can also subscribe without commenting. Although the hornet is the largest of the social wasps, it is less aggressive than smaller species and will sting only if provoked. The central part is the actual ovipositor, capable of drilling through wood. I would concur with your assessment, except I doubt she would have laid eggs. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. They look similar to European hornets but have darker colouring and yellow legs. These are fairly large insects. Dear James, This is indeed a Great Wood Wasp, and we are quite surprised to learn of your experience. The terms “wood wasp” and “horntail” are actually used to describe various species of insects that belong to the family Siricidae of the order Hymenoptera and that inhabit wood structures. Just saw one in my conservatory in Stafford, frightens the life out of us so I picked it up in a cup and helped it move into next doors bush. Woodwasp and horntails represent various types of insects in the family of Siricidae; Horntail is also sole a representative of this family having pale brown legs. HORRIFIED tourists saw their Thai tour guide stung to death by crazed giant wasps – which then feasted on his body for FOUR days. October 26, 2020 by . When the larval and pupal stages are complete, adults are able to emerge inside the home. Whether it was a sting or really a bite is unknown.. Because of this I am very skeptical of the idea that they won’t defend themselves if they need to…. Newly-Discovered Giant Parasitic Wasps Lay Eggs Inside Baby Insects Using 'Sex Sting' The most prominent species can grow up to 4-inches long, bigger than a toddler's hand. July 2nd Gloucestershire….. It is the largest wasp in Europe and is often around 50mm. Despite the alarming appearance, the insect cannot sting. Hi there, I found one on the side of my barrow which was water filled. Britain is under attack by millions of angry German wasps who sting for no reason, pest control experts say. Habitat: mixed and coniferous woodland. So, despite her large size and slightly fearsome appearance, she is quite harmless. It showed thousands of the insects swarming just feet above her. They look menacing, but they do not appear to be aggressive. It is also possible that she used her powerful mandibles to nibble at your leg. Wood-wasps, also called giant horntails, are a form of massive sawfly that is a relative of wasps. You can also email apha.corporatecorrespondence@apha.gsi.gov.uk. Fortunately for the people of Hull, the Asian giant hornet, also known as the ‘murder hornet’ is yet to be officially spotted there. James Rowe. our katie-bee helped me to keep awake, This is a Giant Wood Wasp, Uroceras gigas, and according to the Pottery Museum website: “Flight period: May – August. I hope I see more now. "They're totally harmless, unless you handle one roughly, in which case you may get jabbed by the ovipositor," Dr Joseph Botting from British Bugs said. The 'Giant' part of its name refers to its impressively large size and it is popularly known as a 'Wasp' because the adults are banded black and yellow and the female has a long, needle-like projection that looks suspiciously like something that could inflict a painful sting. Very angry buzz and a massive sting. Unlike bees, which can sting only once, wasps can sting multiple times. Giant Woodwasp - Urocerus gigas. Horntail Wasp Infestation. Horntail or wood wasp is the common name for any of the 150 non-social species of the family Siricidae, of the order Hymenoptera, a type of xylophagous sawfly.This family was formerly believed to be the sole living representative of the superfamily Siricoidea, a group well represented in Paleogene and Mesozoic times, but the family Anaxyelidae has been linked to this group as well. Experts warn the hornets' environmental destruction could cost the UK up to £7.6million every year. 0Z1A9885-jpeg.jpeg (84.34 KB, 700x467 - viewed 55 times.) One expert said the creature found in his back garden looked more like a horntail. According to UK Safari : “The female (above) has a long pointed tube at the back of her body, and this is often mistaken for a stinging organ. Sabre Wasp Rhyssa persuasoria. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. It’s not actually a sting, but a ovipositor that is used to lay its eggs into the wood. Just had a wood wasp in my kitchen in kent. View our online Press Pack. A HORRIFYING giant wasp that starts life by eating its way out of another creature has been discovered in Africa. The wasps can kill with one sting (Image: Getty Images) The team divided costs into three main categories - prevention of the invasion, fighting it, and damage caused. The female insects pierce the skin of pine trees to lay eggs. Although the Paper Wasp is responsible for the majority of serious stings, the European Wasp is becoming an increasing problem in Australia. British wasps grow to around one-inch long, Asian hornets around 1.2 inches and European hornets around 1.4 inches. These insects are extremely disturbing and annoying though they do no sting nor make the bores in the trees. They are quite harmless but really do scare the bejibas out of you when they turn up. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Comments are subject to our community guidelines, which can be viewed, Samantha Stoneley found this insect in her back garden after it fell out of the sky, Asian hornets look similar to European hornets, pictured here, Paul Everingham's two-year-old son Noah found what he feared was an Asian giant hornet, Despite Mr Everingham's fears, an expert said this bug is more likely to be a harmless horntail, Asian hornets like this one are similar-looking to European hornets but have yellow legs and darker features, Sightings of Asian hornets like these should be reported immediately, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). She was chatting with workmen laying decking in her garden when the insect approached her. Despite her concerns, an expert told The Sun Online that the creature looked to be a harmless horntail, also known as a wood wasp. They are large insects measuring almost 2in long, originally from Southeast Asia, that prey on small creatures - especially bees. Just one sting is enough to kill someone allergic to their venom. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. This woodwasp is an invasive species in many parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, and South Africa, where it has become a significant economic pest of pine trees. Location: Nr Manchester, UK Saw one for the first time today in Dursley Gloucestershire. At the same time, she squirts in a fungus from her abdominal gland. ... the female wasp is completely focused on collecting wood pulp to expand her mother’s nest. Sawflies are also known as "wood-wasps". The alarm has been stoked by recent reports of the species in the US. They're sometimes called 'Giant Horntails' for obvious reasons. 2. Wasp stings can be uncomfortable, but most people recover quickly and without complications. I live in North Yorkshire and have just been installing 80sqm of decking. The life cycle is similar to related species, the queen emerges from hibernation in April and searches for a nest site, usually in a hollow tree, where she builds a paper nest from wood scraped from trees and mixed with saliva. When the black wasps sting their prey, they always sting a total of three times — once in the neck and twice in the thorax, which paralyzes the prey, although they can survive for weeks this way. '," she told the Hull Daily Mail. Your message is placed on our hand sanitizer dispensers. The major cause of anaphylaxis from ant stings is the Australian Jack Jumper ant (Myrmecia pilosula), a medium sized black bull ant most prevalent down the eastern side of Australia and Tasmania. Thanks. I wanted to show it to my daughter who is interested in all things natural. In fact, a sting from an Asian hornet is no worse than other British wasps and bees. Samantha Stoneley, 28, was enjoying a break from work outside her home in Hull on Saturday when the massive bug began hovering over her. Name the new Bettystown library in honour of local person, Cromwell: There is absolutely no solid contemporary evidence that civilians were killed at Drogheda, First pleasure boats on canal since 1800s, Assaults rise while all else falls in crime stats. However, the fact sheet Defra sent me clearly identified it as a Giant Wood Wasp. I reported it to Defra as i was worried about it being the dreaded Asian Hornet. The last tergite of the abdomen has a strong, projecting spike, thus giving the group its common name of horntail. Wasps make their nests out of small pieces of wood which they chew to a pulp and spit out to build their walls. Never seen one before, had to google it. Stay low to the ground, do not move and try to cover your head. All the wasps are of the same sizes. The cost of eradication on private land will be met by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, who can be contacted through Defra on the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. Experts believe it to be a harmless wood wasp. The Giant Wood Wasp grub bores into the timber eating the wood ahead of it. Swarms of angry yellow jacket wasps are thought to have invaded the UK (Picture: Getty) Britain is under attack by millions of angry German wasps who sting … They can be found in the UK and so are seen most regularly in the months May to August. Incredible hornet hover fly and giant wood wasp spotted in Plymouth The two insects were spotted within half an hour of each other in a garden in Stonehouse and a garden in Devonport The female Great Wood Wasp has a long pointed tube at the back of her body, and this is usually mistaken for a stinging organ. Hi there. . The sting … 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The terms “wood wasp” and “horntail” are actually used to describe various species of insects that belong to the family Siricidae of the order Hymenoptera and that inhabit wood structures. Picture by meepoohyaphoto 0 / 4 A female sabre wasp drilling into wood to lay eggs Stock Images by coboflupi 0 / 0 Wasp nest on a mango tree Stock Photography by iJacky 0 / 19 Hornet's nest Stock Photo by urga 10 / 324 Beautiful pink insect house in a ginkgo tree Stock Image by dndavis 0 / 0 Wasp eating wood Picture by dennisvdwater 0 / 50 Orange Wasp, Insect Stock Image by suwatsir 0 / 4 Just seen a large slim fly with a long spike at the rear end flying in my greenhouse. We recently came across a horntail and thought we’d share the photo we took to … be carefull. After five attempts she may have concluded “this is not a tree.” In any event, I agree he should seek medical attention if symptoms persist or get worse. I watched one laying her eggs into a freshly cut log yesterday, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The larvae live in the wood of pine trees, where they spend up to five years developing. When the larval and pupal stages are complete, adults are able to emerge inside the home. The giant horntail is a massive sawfly that is also known as the 'giant woodwasp' or 'greater horntail wasp'. Asian hornets are invading the UK and could cost the economy millions of pounds, according to a report. The newly found hornets have an … They look similar to European hornets but have darker colouring and yellow legs. They are commonly found in the UK and are seen most frequently in … In fact it’s an ovipositor, which she uses to lay her eggs in the trunks of coniferous trees. giant wood wasp sting. Giant hornets with a sting so venomous it will leave you needing medical treatment have been spotted in the UK. The large size and black and yellow colouration mean that this ‘wasp’ causes more than a few scares, but it is not a wasp at all, it is a sawfly and completely harmless. The giant woodwasp or horntail, Urocerus gigas, has a long ovipositor, which with its black and yellow colouration make it a good mimic of a hornet. In Peterson's opinion, the sting is rated a 4 - on a scale of 1-4. Often called the giant Ichneumon, it is the largest Ichneumon in Britain and one of the largest in Europe with a body size of 10mm to 40mm excluding the ovipositor ( the females egg laying tube) which can be longer than the … Wood wasps do not sting, but they may cause other problems for the homeowner. Adults vary in length from 9 to 36 mm (0.35 to 1.42 in). It does look a bit intimidating, Pictured one yesterday in Southampton, approx inch and a half long. We do not believe she was trying to sting you. They are normally winged. Most often seen in coniferous woodland. Our guide to wasps looks at common wasp species found in the UK, their lifecycle and why wasps tend to sting in autumn. Wood wasp feeding on timber. was a bit nervous as assumed it was a large hornet. Blog. You can also subscribe without commenting. They are called a wasp because of their resemblance to a wasp, but actually don’t sting. It had however stung me and it is incredibly painful even now 10 hours later. There is an out of hours facility on the same number for reporting suspicion of disease in animals. We are paraphrasing, of course, but she stated that if it is fake, it is not news, and if it is news, it is not fake. She was gone when l checked this morning. Bumblebee Conservation Trust [12] Since Saxon nests typically hang off of a branch, they are exposed to wind, which can knock nests off their branch and damage the nest. I reported it to Defra as i was worried about it being the dreaded Asian Hornet. A wood wasp or a horntail infestation can be easily confused with woodworm infestation. A distinctive feature is they have yellow legs which this definitely has," he said. A MOTHER has found a huge insect with a giant stinger after it suddenly fell from the sky into her back garden. I didn’t have a camera to hand, unfortunately. According to UK Safari: “The female (above) has a long pointed tube at the back of her body, and this is often mistaken for a stinging organ.In fact it’s an ovipositor, which she uses to lay her eggs in the trunks of coniferous trees. Status : widespread but localised. Thank you. It was MASSIVE! However, the horntail is harmless to humans as it does not sting. Happily working away and got dive bombed by this beast. Horntail or wood wasp is a common name of all of the 150 species of the Siricidae family. It has arrived recently in Queensland but has been present in Tasmania since 1952 and mainland Australia since 1961.