Giant Ichneumon Wasp (Megaryhssa macrurus) Ovipositing

10th August 2013 3:47 pm.
naturedocumenta...
The ovipositor appears as a single filament, but it comprises three filaments. The middle filament is the actual ovipositor which is capable of drilling into wood. This middle filament looks like a single filament, but is made of two parts. These parts have a cutting edge at the tip. They interlock and slide against each other. Although very thin, it is a tube and the egg moves down the minute channel in its center during egg laying. Two other thin filaments serve as protection for the ovipositor. They arc out to the sides during egg laying.