Ichneumonidae

Ichneumonidae (ichneumon wasps: suborder Apocrita, superfamily Ichneumonoidea) One of the largest insect families, comprising a very diverse and highly successful group, each subfamily or tribe of which is parasitic on a particular group of insects. Many species are important as biological control agents, parasitizing larvae and pupae of endopterygote insects, and others parasitize spiders and the egg sacs of spiders and pseudoscorpions. Ichneumonids are medium to large (3–40 mm long) wasps, yellowish to black, or brightly patterned with black and brown or black and yellow. Most species have a long ovipositor but do not sting, although they may make ‘stinging’ motions if handled.