Horntail

Name: Horntail

Scientific name: Urocerus gigas

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 60

What are nature stars?

About: A massive sawfly, a relative of the wasps, almost 3cm long. The female is black and yellow and has a long 'sting', which guards the ovipositor through which she lays her eggs. The larvae live in the wood of pine trees, where they spend up to 3 years. Found near pine woods, or places where pine timbers are used.

How to identify: An unmistakeable insect if seen well, perhaps only ever likely to be confused with Hornet or Hornet Robberfly.

Where: Widespread, but uncommon.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 30
• Agility: 70
• Rarity: 50
• Cute factor: 10
• Traveller: 60

Fantastic fact: Also known as the Great Wood Wasp.

Photograph credit: Erik Jørgensen