Wasp with red and black thorax

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks. On old wooden fence.

First time I've seen this species. Help with id appreciated.



Bruce

[Dogghound]

How big was it?

[Bruce Williams]

There is a scale bar at top left,

Bruce

[Geoff F]

Did it definitely have a 'wasp waist'? If so we are probably thinking ichneumon species; if not then a sawfly looks promising.

[Bruce Williams]

I would say so Geoff. Here's a dorsal view that gives a better indication of the narrow waist:



Bruce

[Jason Green]

It's a female Chalcididae wasp IMO - the clear wings with black left-right bars looks like a good ID point.

The antennae are pretty long though...

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your suggestion Jason . So far I've failed to find any web images that fit this particular individual.

Dan's question about size led me to question whether or not I should include the ovipositor when giving the length of a wasp?

For the record, 4mm excluding ovipositor and 5mm including.

Bruce

[Jason Green]

I think you exclude it as in body at least it would be a similar size to the male of the species? Well, that's not my area...

Hopefully the Mods will forgive this... Universal Chalcidoidea Database

It is, afterall, relevant and from a reputable site on a superfamily without much 'Net presence!

[Bruce Williams]

Yes that makes sense Jason, although I think it would also be helpful to give info on the length of the ovipositor as it varies so much with different species.

Thanks for the useful Chalcidoidea link.

Bruce

[Jason Green]

Yes... I suppose so! Hadn't thought of that...

I remember how I couldn't find any images of my chalcid earlier this year - then Dan ID'd it and I subsequently found several online! That link I posted has several galleries... but I, as yet, haven't found a match.