What is it and what has happened to it?

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks.

Would appreciate an ID and any views as to what has happened - is the dark stain under the insect significant?

This first pic shows the correct orientation:



This next pic is the same image flipped 90° anticlockwise to make display of larger image more convenient:


larger image

Bruce

[Wild-Woman]

Don't know the insect but I'm guessing it's been parasitised. Ther's a visible hole in it, which may have been an exit hole for the parasite.

[GrayB]

Hi Bruce,
My first impression, judging by it's shape and features is that it's a Psyllid of some sort but I can't be 100% sure.
As for what happened to it I haven't a clue
Gray.

[Bruce Williams]

Jules - Do you mean at the tail end of the abdomen where the wings are broken? Could be......you know I hadn't noticed that until you mentioned it.

Gray - I should have mentioned the size. It's 6mm including ovipositor but excluding antennae.

Bruce

[Acutipuerilis]

Hi Bruce. It is indeed a psyllid (well done Gray! )
Was it on Alder, by any chance? If so, then Psylla alni, which is our biggest one; the long genitalia fit as well. The rather scarce Psylla betulae apparently comes cose, but I've only seen it in museum collections.

It's certainly been parastitised as well - probably a wasp, I believe, although I've never been quite sure what sort. I have seen this sort of thing before, though.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Joe.

Well it's actually on a wall.....but there are several alder trees very close-by at the edge of a large pond. So from what you've said psylla alni would seem likely.

So would this be a female Joe?

Bruce

[Acutipuerilis]

Yep, this is a female. This is one group where they're easy to tell apart, at least!

[Bruce Williams]

Cheers Joe!

Bruce