This insect on our cidery wall is an ichneumon wasp, probably from the genus Netelia or Ophion. These wasps are part of the family Ichneumonidae, which is one of the most diverse insect families over 25,000 species known. Ichneumon wasps are solitary insects and they are parasitoid wasps, ie they lay eggs on or in other insects and their larvae develop inside their bodies.
The long, thin appendage at the end of the female's abdomen is an ovipositor, which is used to lay eggs, not a stinger. They are native to NZ and widespread around the world and are an integral part of the ecology and biodiversity. They are more numerous since we became organic. #insects #wasp #ichneumon #organic #orchard