Any further ID on this chalcid wasp ?

Lord V · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 07:48 AM

Found this wonderful chalcid wasp about 2mm body length dying on top of one of my water barrels the other day. one of the most beautiful wasps I have ever seen. Any chance of further ID ?

brian V.

RobSutton · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 10:51 AM

Sorry can't help on the identification but it is an absolutely lovely photograph - if only people could include photos of this quality in their insect keys then it might inspire more to take an interest in these groups.

eucera · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 11:34 AM

Rob has a point... but photos which are often beautiful to look at (like all of Brian's) do not always show the diagnostic features necessary for identification. Chalcids are a very large group... and the vital characters are usually microscopic.

Still... I, for one, love looking at Brians pics

Lord V · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 04:23 PM

Thanks for the comments Rob and eucera

I'm actually quite happy just knowing it's a chalcid wasp and at least i know it's different to all the other ones I've seen

I realise there's always a problem with insects on the best angles for a good looking shots and those for easiest ID not always coinciding

.

Brian V.

hedgerow · #5 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 07:23 AM

HI Brian,
the wasp keys out as Eulophidae and from the pics on you flickr account, is a toss up between the sub-families Tetrastichinae and Eulophinae with my thoughts being the latter.

As regards the photos for Id the three provided got me quite far, so I would say the were perfectly adequate

Cheers,
Pete