Possibly-identified Insect

[Neilos]

Hi all,

Seen insects similar to this one around a lot, usually reddish-colour but this one looks darker. A little bit smaller than the ones I usually see as well, a bit less terrifying-looking (well, scary for a common British insect, anyway). Photo using the light on a camera phone, as it was dark.



The insect identifier tells me the redder ones are Ichneumon wasps - is this one of the same things?

Thanks!

[Wild-Woman]

Yes, looks like an ichneumonid to me. Harmless to us but not if you're a caterpillar!

[Gatekeeper]

Yes, it's an Ichneumon Wasp. There are thousands of species, with many colour variations. Here's a link to give you a sample:

Ichneumonidae - Ichneumoninae

[Neilos]

Thanks for the replies

Had never seen these before this year, now can't stop seeing them - shall keep an eye out for other variations, they're interesting little creatures.