What kind of fly is this?

sourton · #1 (**permalink**) 17-10-2006, 07:59 PM

Hi, I found this fly (I asume it is a fly) in my house tonight. I have never seen one like this before and would appreciate it if any one can identify it for me. It is about 1.5 inches long from tail to tip of antennae and is a reddish brown in colour.

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 17-10-2006, 08:13 PM

Think an Ichneumon sp.

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 17-10-2006, 08:18 PM

It is an ichneumon- possibly Ophion luteus.

Fourwings · #4 (**permalink**) 17-10-2006, 08:21 PM

Yellow Orphion Orphion luteus, as WW correctly pointed out it is an Ichnuemoid parasitic wasp. It is quite common and is mostly nocturnal, we get lots of these coming to moth traps.
A slight word of caution though, do not handle these as the female can give you a very painful jab with her ovipositor!

wildlifesnapper · #5 (**permalink**) 17-10-2006, 08:22 PM

Hi,
yes it's an ichneumon fly,either Natelia or Ophion species.there are several similar species.They parasatise moth caterpillars.The female's ovipositor can pierce human skin if handled, not tried this to prove it right or wrong though

.

neil

sourton · #6 (**permalink**) 17-10-2006, 08:39 PM

Thanks for your replies. I spent ages searching the web for different kinds of flies and it turns out to be a wasp, no wonder I couldn't find anything. It is satisfying to know what it is before I let it go.