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| 1 | 2 |  » Stats |
Members: 50,153
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Top Poster: glsammy (15,069)
| | Welcome to our newest member, Xalrahc | |  | | 
30-07-2010, 03:20 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Caldbeck, Cumbria
Posts: 766
| | | Mason wasp
Could someone tell me which genus this belongs to ? I don't expect a species 
8mm long on creeping thistle in a field.
Thanks
Peter  |
30-07-2010, 05:15 PM
|  | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London
Posts: 11,830
| | | Re: Mason wasp
Afternoon Peter,
The characters used to identify these are pretty subtle, and wouldn't show in field-photos. Still, you have a microscope and comatose-specimen so will get further than that. I use this key: http://www.bwars.com/Files%204%2...wasp%20key.pdf
Key out the specimen under your microscope, and tell us what you get. If you need definitions of terms, ask here and someone should be able to tell you.
Good luck!
Take care, Jason 
Last edited by Jason Green; 30-07-2010 at 05:17 PM.
|
30-07-2010, 05:47 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Caldbeck, Cumbria
Posts: 766
| | | Re: Mason wasp
Thanks for that link Jason. I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on.
Peter |
30-07-2010, 06:31 PM
|  | Active Member | | Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Wiltshire
Posts: 41
| | | Re: Mason wasp
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Green  Afternoon Peter,
The characters used to identify these are pretty subtle, and wouldn't show in field-photos. Still, you have a microscope and comatose-specimen so will get further than that. I use this key: http://www.bwars.com/Files%204%20dow...wasp%20key.pdf
Key out the specimen under your microscope, and tell us what you get. If you need definitions of terms, ask here and someone should be able to tell you.
Good luck!
Take care, Jason | Hi again Jason-I had looked at this excellent photo earlier and wondered where I would start with an identification so the reference to the BWARS website was most welcome for me too.
I was wondering if you had other keys that are internet-based that you use? I don't want to hijack Peter's post-so is it worth me starting a new thread about keys to identification? I do realise they have many limitations but may help me separate the ichneumons from the sawflies, for example!
Judith |
31-07-2010, 06:54 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Barnsley
Posts: 1,728
| | | Re: Mason wasp
I think it's Symmorphus mutinensis.
__________________
John Coldwell |
31-07-2010, 07:19 AM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London
Posts: 11,830
| | | Re: Mason wasp
Quote:
Originally Posted by oxycera I think it's Symmorphus mutinensis. | I edited my post - I initially suggested Symmorphus, too ( the first and second tergum being of comparable width, the first tergum having a keel - I can see two 'textures', and in my experience you have that when you have a keel - and a nic in the yellow band at it's posterior perhaps being home to an anterior/posterior depression)
Last edited by Jason Green; 31-07-2010 at 07:22 AM.
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31-07-2010, 10:48 AM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Caldbeck, Cumbria
Posts: 766
| | | Re: Mason wasp
I keyed it out as Symmorphus bifasciatus.
Peter |
31-07-2010, 10:57 AM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London
Posts: 11,830
| | | Re: Mason wasp
Well done, Peter! How long did it take? My first keying took about 45mins (though I did key twice/three times to be certain!). |
31-07-2010, 12:44 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lincoln
Posts: 4,826
| | | Re: Mason wasp
I think I've had this one, hidden somewhere in my folders!
I find this site useful as a guide, it includes those you are likely to find for certain habitats. Links at the side give other habitats, with further links at the bottom for type of insect.
Janet
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http://cubits.org/buglife/ |
31-07-2010, 12:53 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hull
Posts: 783
| | | Re: Mason wasp
Great site Janet! I have been able to ID my tiny wasps to something similar to Crossocerus sp. which stocks its nests with aphids!
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