Georgia Correctional Officer (CO) Practice Exam

Which of the following characteristics does NOT describe the wood wasp?

1. It has a long ovipositor.

2. It reinfests the same wood multiple times.

3. It drills holes for laying eggs.

4. It primarily infests in summer.

The correct answer is: It reinfests the same wood multiple times.

The characteristic that does not describe the wood wasp is that it reinfests the same wood multiple times. Wood wasps, particularly those belonging to the family Siricidae, typically lay their eggs in wood that is already dead or decaying. Once the larvae hatch, they typically feed on the wood inside, leading to the destruction of that material. They do not return to the same wood to lay more eggs because their life cycle is dependent on finding new areas of suitable wood for their larvae to develop. Thus, they typically infest new wood rather than reusing the same wood repeatedly for oviposition. This contrasts with the other characteristics. Wood wasps are known for their long ovipositor, a specialized structure used for laying eggs inside the wood. They also drill holes to facilitate this process, and their primary activity occurs in the summer months when conditions are most favorable for their lifecycle.