Possible Ichneumon ssp for ID. Help appreciated

[Melus]

I have checked my books and carried out a search of the web and threads on the site, but can't identify the insect in the attached photo. I thought the pale bands on the antennae would help with identification but can't find a suitable match. My first thought was Ichneumon ssp

I photographed the insect a couple of days ago. It appeared to be overwintering within a rotten birch log.

Length approx 14mm
Antennae length approx 9mm

Any help to ID it would be greatly appreciated

Regards
Gary

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Gary,

It is most likely from the Ichneumoninae sub-family. There are about 7,000 species in the UK, so very few can be positively identified without a microscope.

Oh, and:

ssp: Sub-species
spp: A species of [a genus or family]

Take care,

Jason

[Melus]

Thanks Jason

I'll keep on trawling.

I've still got the insect potted and in the fridge. Intentions are to return it tomorrow when I'm at work to where I found it, so I can always have another butchers.

Sorry, I always get mixed up with ssp spp etc.

Regards
Gary

[Jason Green]

Don't worry RE ssp Vs. spp. - it's easily done!

[Acutipuerilis]

Technically, of course, spp. is species plural. You want sp. for a single species.

Haven't a clue on the ichneumon, I'm afraid.

[Laurence Clemons]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Afternoon Gary,

It is most likely from the Ichneumoninae sub-family. There are about 7,000 species in the UK, so very few can be positively identified without a microscope.

Oh, and:

ssp: Sub-species
spp: A species of [a genus or family]

Take care,

Jason

Not that many! There are about 3200 British Ichneumonidae.

[ChrisR]

Originally Posted by Melus

I have checked my books and carried out a search of the web and threads on the site, but can't identify the insect in the attached photo.

As others have said, it is hard/impossible to identify even the big ichneumons from photos ... they're very hard work even with specimens. You can often get some good suggestions though if you post a series of good photos taken from different angles to the HYMIS forum

As Laurence says, the figure of 7000 is the estimated number of Hymenoptera as a whole - but ichneumons do make up a very high proportion of their number

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by Laurence Clemons

Not that many! There are about 3200 British Ichneumonidae.

Thanks - that makes it easier then! Where did I get that figure from...

[Melus]

Originally Posted by ChrisR

As others have said, it is hard/impossible to identify even the big ichneumons from photos ... they're very hard work even with specimens. You can often get some good suggestions though if you post a series of good photos taken from different angles to the HYMIS forum

Thanks for the link to the HYMIS forum ChrisR the suggestion I received via the HYMIS forum is

Stenichneumon militarius ssp niger Valemberg,1976 from C.Thirion dt , J.Valemberg cf

Many thanks for the help and info from all the contributors

Regards
Gary