Sawfly or ant

Lord V · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 07:43 AM

What I thought was a sawfly around 4mm body length but had a US bug professor tag it as formicidae on flickr. Any views ?

Brian v.

JackintheGreen · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 08:38 AM

I wouldn't have said it was a sawfly due to the waist. Ant or wasp? My guess would be ant.

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 08:33 PM

Just going by the lack of an elbowed antennae, I would say that is a wasp. But which family, leave alone species, is getting a bit over the top for me.

There are so many candidates ranging from Ichneumon to the many other solitary wasp categories.

I suspect a real expert is required here!

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 08:55 PM

I have had a quick flick through my ID literature but can't get very far due to the lack of wing details. However, just as a 'wild card' try the Mutillidae family which can look a bit like a cross between a wasp and an ant.

But beware of confusion between males and females as they don't all have wings.

However, perhaps an expert will appear first.

Lord V · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 05:26 AM

Thanks for the ideas so far - will check them out.
A more dorsal shot below.
Brian v.

Geoff F · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 09:56 PM

That second image, I would say, has 13 antennae segments which means a male. And having an all black thorax rules out quite a few possible answers, including most of my thoughts!

The wing veins are probably clear enough there for an expert to narrow the field considerably. But I'm rather unsure on this so I had better not add anything more to the confusion!

Lord V · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff F

That second image, I would say, has 13 antennae segments which means a male. And having an all black thorax rules out quite a few possible answers, including most of my thoughts!

The wing veins are probably clear enough there for an expert to narrow the field considerably. But I'm rather unsure on this so I had better not add anything more to the confusion!

Thanks geoff for the help . Must admit i'm a bit confused by the bug.
Brian v.

Jason Green · #8 (**permalink**) 13-09-2010, 06:09 PM

Afternoon Brian,

I don't have much of a hand here, but I'll throw down my Ace regardless - how about Diapriidae, or related? I won't place any bets though. Doubt Formicidae.

Take care,

Jason

Action_Man · #9 (**permalink**) 13-09-2010, 07:13 PM

Do Ants have simple eyes ? ...

Lord V · #10 (**permalink**) 14-09-2010, 06:09 AM

Thanks again for the ideas- Might indeed be a wasp but thought the thorax sculpturing was fairly common for sawflies.

Gordon - good point just checked my flying ant shots and can't see any simple eyes !

Brian v.