Hymenoptera for id

mickmassie · #1 (**permalink**) 14-10-2009, 06:08 PM

When I saw this on a decaying tree trunk today I thought it was an ichneumon, but the antennae aren't right and there is no obvious waist. Not Gasteruption either. I don't know many sawflies, but those I do don't look much like this. Any tips please ? Thanks, M.

ChrisR · #2 (**permalink**) 14-10-2009, 06:31 PM

It's a pimpline ichneumonid that seems to have been in the wars and lost its antennae

How long was it (including and excluding ovipositor)? The waist is definitely there - otherwise you wouldn't be able to see the hind coxae so clearly

Google for Dolichomitus or Ephialtes - there are plenty that look like that

mickmassie · #3 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 06:36 AM

Of course, how dopey of me

. I suppose I was partly fooled as the antennae are both the same length!
When I look closely I can see it has lost the lower section of the forelegs too. I wonder if a social wasp has had a go at it - they like to rip pieces off anything they can get a hold of.
Thanks, M.

ChrisR · #4 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 07:46 AM

Hi Mick, That's certainly possible - these wasps don't have a particularly dangerous life (they just buzz about looking for flowers and dead wood) so it must have been attacked by something like that

JRsbugs · #5 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickmassie

Of course, how dopey of me

. I suppose I was partly fooled as the antennae are both the same length!
When I look closely I can see it has lost the lower section of the forelegs too. I wonder if a social wasp has had a go at it - they like to rip pieces off anything they can get a hold of.
Thanks, M.

I wonder if it got trapped in a door. Some of these are attracted to light at night and come inside. That might explain the evenly cut off antennae.

Janet