CLOSED: What's long, black, skinny, & flies?

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grannycb Cambridge, MN Aug 22, 2008

We've seen these guys floating through the air with the tails hanging down. We finally got a closeup look at a couple that were enjoying the day on my New Guinea Impatiens.

Any idea on what they are?

Thumbnail by grannycb
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HoosierGreen Danville, IN Aug 22, 2008

Sure... very beneficial ichneumon flies. You're lucky to have them in your area. More closely related to wasps than flies, their larvae are parasites of caterpillars and of larvae of beetles, flies, and other pests. The females have the unusually long ovipositor, but is harmless. The ovipositor can pierce several inches of wood! There are over 3,000 American species!

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Aug 23, 2008

This is not an ichneumon wasp, it is a pelecinid (Pelecinus polyturator). They are parasitic on the larvae of scarab beetles in the genus Phyllophaga - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelecinus_polyturator

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HoosierGreen Danville, IN Aug 23, 2008

I'm glad it's beneficial, either way.

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pford1854 Somerset, KY(Zone 6b) Aug 23, 2008

Very good picture Grannycb.
thanks for the ID suunto.
also reference:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/6945
apparently Grannycb, you have a female, as the males tails are much shorter.
thanks for sharing.

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