Ichneumon Fly

Although it's called a fly, it's not. It's a parasitic wasp and the long tail is her ovipositor. She's completely harmless to us and can't sting. Exactly which species she is I don't know and haven't time to go on an involved research. the colouring tells me one thing but the length of her ovipositor makes me think another.

This amazing little creature uses her long needle, only to drill through hard wood, to find beetle larvae in which to deposit her eggs. She might be stuck for anything up to an hour in her quest to drill through to her prey and once started the process, there is no turning back.

This is our second day of lovely sunshine, short sleeves and the insects are loving it.

Quick update, thanks to angellightphoto... She is a Gasteruption jaculator. He's right it a fantastic name!!