this post was submitted on 26 Jan 2026
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Some kind of Ichneumon parasitoid species I think, but I haven't ID'd them yet. I try to keep my household IPM limited to biocontrols and the most harmless chemicals. My houseplants are full of soil macrofauna, assassin bugs, parasitoid wasps, non-venomous spiders, and other beneficial insects that control the species I don't want.

These wasps are totally harmless to humans and animals, the size of a small carpenter ant. The "stinger" is an ovipositor that they use to lay eggs in pest insects, and spiders as well which keeps their population in check. I've noticed maybe 30-50 overwintering inside, just sitting around beggin' for an eggin'.

Turn your home into an ecosystem. Fill it with wasps.

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[–] an_engel_on_earth@hexbear.net 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

sorry to be rude but like darwin ive always thought parasitoid wasps are a sign that we live in a godless universe

[–] happybadger@hexbear.net 9 points 1 month ago

The only time I'll kill one is if I catch it doing evolution. Right now it's mutually beneficial, but if they start growing larger or learn to use tools I will save our species over theirs.

[–] Dort_Owl@hexbear.net 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Damn she's got ovipositer for days

[–] happybadger@hexbear.net 8 points 1 month ago

https://hexbear.net/post/6387232

This other local species I found in one of my pollinator gardens last year is straight out of Alien, but it was docile enough to rest on a glove.

[–] Arahnya@hexbear.net 6 points 1 month ago

i have these in my house! I like the way they move around

[–] alexandra_kollontai@hexbear.net 2 points 1 month ago

Oh, so that's what those are! Thanks for telling me about their behaviour. I've been seeing these in my house as well. Cool that they live in both hemispheres.