What a stunner! Mason or Digger Wasp?

[tigger]

I just love the markings on this wasp (?). Wondered if anyone could identify it for me. Looking at the book it looks like it's a possible mason or digger wasp? It looks similar to Ancistrocerus nigricornis

Thanks. Jane

[lync]

Yes, it looks very much like an Ancistrocerus. Probably not nigricornis though, as that is a rare one. Species in this genus in any case are hard to identify and impossible from photographs, I would suggest.

[tigger]

Looked up Ancistrocerus sp. and I see what you mean. Many are very similar.

Shame I can't ID it further... but a great wasp to watch. Stands out a mile in the garden.

Jane

[tigger]

Wondered if anybody had any other ideas about this one?

[lync]

In what way?

[Phil Whiley]

Try this URL, it shows the markings on several of the species (have a look at A. Gazella, seems very similar to your example):

http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/bsc/e...%3D2%26hl%3Den

Cheers

Phil

[charlieb]

The link doesn't work - is this the one: Key to northeastern Nearctic Ancistrocerus species? - that's a key to the species of the northeastern Nearctic??

[tigger]

Thanks for the link... great resource. Thanks. Jane

[Phil Whiley]

Originally Posted by charlieb

The link doesn't work - is this the one: Key to northeastern Nearctic Ancistrocerus species? - that's a key to the species of the northeastern Nearctic??

That's the one - not sure why the link I pasted didn't work but thanks for correcting it. There's also quite a good image of A. Gazella on the Essex Field Club site (essexfieldclub.org.uk): follow the "Species" information link (probably more relevant than the Ualberta link, but markings are the same as those shown on the ualberta site).

Regards
Phil

[tigger]

Many thanks I'll have a look.