Cynipid wasp? 3mm

JRsbugs · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 11:09 PM

Hi,

Another I found on the pond on Monday, 1st March. It was trying to walk on water, at first I thought it was a Chironomid or similar but saw it through the lens. I had a few similar to this last year, and I imagine they are going to be difficult to ID.

Janet

ChrisR · #2 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 10:13 AM

Hmm, have you considered that it might be an ichneumon? I count 18 flagellar segments + 2 basal segments ... could qualify it as an ichneumon. This would also explain the slightly dorsoventrally flattened gaster too...

Torymus · #3 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 11:45 AM

Well - not a cynipid anyway - too many antennal segments, wrong wing venation and gaster. Ichneumonoidea - but outside my knowledge base.

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 12:22 PM

Thanks both, yes I had considered Ichneumon but didn't think the wing venation matched that either.

I need to post a couple of wasps a day to get through what I have from last year!

Hymis forum comes to mind but I can post bigger pics here (I think).

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 09:12 PM

Evening Janet,

Good to see you back posting - let's hope this Spring gets under-way soon!

Sorry, wrong jizz for Cynipid for me. Before the earlier posts I'd have gone for a Braconidae wasp... but if Chris & Torymus say otherwise I'm happy to go with them! I like the antennal image.

Take care,

Jason

JRsbugs · #6 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 09:45 PM

Hi Jason,

yes I tend to agree with you that it belongs to Broconid family, look at the wing venation of Braconidae subf. Aphidiinae, in particular trib. Aphidiini, genus Diaeretiella. The wings match quite well, along with the general other details.

Aphidiini

JRsbugs · #7 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 10:08 PM

Better still, look at Braconidae trib. Praini, Praon sp. It has around 21 antennal segment including the scapes, mine has either 21 or 22 but it's difficult to tell.

Praini