Nature at work - info from an expert

So, here's the skinny from someone who knows things about bugs in Minnesota. The picture I labeled as "male" is actually a parasititic primitative wood wasp that is feeding on the dead part of the tree. It is called Megarhyssa macrurus. The picture I labeled as "female" is actually controlling this parasite by laying eggs on the larvae of the parasite. This beneficial bug is the Pigeon Horntail, Tremex columba.

Now we can all say we learned something new today. :-)

Nature at work

Look at what is laying eggs in the Gay's maple tree....


"Female"
















"Female" side view (click for a clearer image)




















"Male"






I sent copies of these images to a taxonomist at the State of MN (we'll see if he replys). Does anyone know what it is?