Ichneumon Wasp? Pimpla sp?

tigger · #1 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 06:54 AM

Photographed what I think is a Ichneumon wasp, Pimpla sp, on our laurel hedge yesterday. It was waving it's abdomen around (which gave me a good view of it - as it was hidden by it's wings in the first photo).

Can anyone help me with a full ID?

Thanks. Jane

tigger · #2 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 03:38 PM

Obviously I didn't post this at the right time. I'm hoping there are some Ichneumon addicts on the forum now! I'd really appreciate help with this one.

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 04:27 PM

Nope, we were all sleeping... dreaming of insects no doubt, you know how it is... well, actually I haven't. Much...

Oh, I say female Gregopimpla inquisitor - Pimpilinae.

tigger · #4 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 08:43 PM

Thanks Jason. However, they seem to be pretty rare see Details about taxon: Gregopimpla inquisitor

Would be great if it was... but doesn't say it's been recorded in Dorset.

Jane

RobinP · #5 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 09:02 PM

As a complete novice I'll go for p. hypochondriaca for this one

tigger · #6 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 09:17 PM

I'm pretty sure it isn't p. hypochondriaca as the abdomen is totally black and the legs seem to be a different colour but could easily be one of the other Pimpla sp. Just don't know which...

Jason Green · #7 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger

Thanks Jason. However, they seem to be pretty rare see Details about taxon: Gregopimpla inquisitor

Would be great if it was... but doesn't say it's been recorded in Dorset.

Jane

Never say never... ichneumons are very difficult to ID to species-level more often than not. They must be extremely under-recorded - I'm sitting on about 10-15 that I haven't got around to trying to identify. It's found from London to Scotland, so doesn't seem particularly dependant on any one thing. That said, and if it is under-recorded which I really don't doubt, then it would probably be far commoner than it seems. How big was it?

Maybe the photo I'm going by is incorrectly named... anyway, these are just my thoughts! I'll watch with interest

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 27-05-2009, 02:01 PM

I would leave it at Pimpla sp, you really need a specimen at hand and a microscope to ID the less distinctive ones.

tigger · #9 (**permalink**) 28-05-2009, 05:28 AM

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

That's what I had thought Dogghound. Quite happy with Pimpla sp. I've also sent the photos to Eucera for his thoughts.

Jane