snake fly ichneumon crossbreed perhaps?

[UB4 gardener]

I know it isn't but if there was i'm sure it would look something like this maybe with a bit of lacewing thrown in, strangest looking ichneumon i've encountered. assuming it is one with that ovipositor. any help even to family level would greatly appreciated. have spent the last 2 hours looking at pics on line and i'm still none the wiser. apologies for pic quality from my phone.
many thanks in advance
Chris
edit: should have gone with my first instinct with snake fly, the ovipositor threw me completely. so new question is , is this Raphidia notata?

[oxycera]

Some species of Snakefly, isn't it?

[Jason Claxton]

Hi UB4 Gardener

It does look like one of the Raphidioptera/Snake flies and a female too.Only four species I think ,identified by differences in the wings.They are quite impressive.

Cheers Jason.

[UB4 gardener]

oxycera, i thought after i posted i should have looked up snake flies and not ichneumons (i've cant have ever seen a female before, if it hadn't been for that darned ovipositor i would have known snake fly immediately hence the title)
but thanks both of you for taking the time to look. Raphidioptera sp. it has been labelled.
Chris

[Jason Claxton]

Originally Posted by UB4 gardener

edit: should have gone with my first instinct with snake fly, the ovipositor threw me completely. so new question is , is this Raphidia notata?

Hi UB4 gardener,I can't key it myself,I'll have to pass.It could be helpful if you could mention a bit about the habitat and the surrounding habitat that it came from,that may help someone following on from myself.I.e were there coniferous woods or deciduous woods where you found this.

Cheers Jason

[UB4 gardener]

Hi Jason, the picture is that bad i doubt anyone can key out this one through wing venation. it landed on my arm in the garden this afternoon. The garden backs on to Ringwood forest which is a bit of a mix of both but predominantly conifer, i've had males in the garden before so the next one gets a closer inspection and hopefully a better photo.
Chris

[Jason Claxton]

Ah it would be from mixed woodland!never that easyPhaeostigma notata is associated with Oaks and Atlantoraphidia maculicollis with pine mostly in the south.That leaves another two in which the associated tree species are not clear.The book to have for these is :-A Key to the adults of British lacewings and their allies by Colin W.Plant ,published by the Field Studies Council in the AIDGAP series,it is cheap too.

Cheers Jason.

[Susie]

is that our Colin again? Gets all over the place, he does.

[UB4 gardener]

funnily enough that's one of the many books i do own. I never even thought about. i won't forget next time
Chris

[ollyk]

One of the holy grails on my list is this one - nice find!