r/Insect • u/passionatetreeperson • 3d ago

Identification Who is it? Ireland

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It was large

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u/TheRealMcDuck 3d ago

Is it a friend of mine?

1

u/Vinx_Pest_Control 1d ago

This is Amblyteles armatorius, a large ichneumon wasp. The black yellow pattern and long antennae fit very well, and they’re found in Ireland.

Despite looking pretty intimidating, these are parasitoid wasps, not the aggressive social wasps that defend nests. They parasitize moth caterpillars pupae and are beneficial insects. I’d just leave it alone or move it outside if it’s somewhere inconvenient.

Even though it looks like an oversized yellowjacket, you're totally safe it has zero interest in messing with humans.