ID please

[willowjay]

This chap has been sitting in our hall for a few hours, and I'd love to know what he is.



many thanks

willowjay

[faz]

looks like a ichnumen wasp not sure what species though

[triops]

It is an Ichneumon parasitic wasp, one of the Ophion species.

[Klaas Reißmann]

Not only genus Ophion looks like this. Even genus Enicospilus and one or two genus' more look very similar. So maybe Ophion, maybe another genus.

Regards
Klaas

[Jason Green]

Evening Jay,

Yes, an Ichneumon Wasp. Interesting point, Klass; I've often put these down as sub-family Ophioninae - is that correct, as regards the genera you suggest?

Take care,

Jason

[Klaas Reißmann]

Hi Jason,

I'm not sure I get it right, but all the genus' I meant are of the sub-family Ophioninae. If that was your question I got it all, if not I have to improve my English and have to search for some more brains in my head I can possibly use.

But I have no experience in identifying Ichneumonid Wasps. Maybe, with a little improvement, one can tell the genus by a photo. I just don't know.

Regards
Klaas

P.S.:

Interesting point, Klass;

Let me be so kind to take away the first "s" in your spelling of my name. I'm sure you will be glad to see me doing this, as long as I give you the present of a second "a" instead.

[Jason Green]

Yes, that's exactly my question, you got it.

One or two Ichneumons are distinctive-enough to be done by a good photograph, but most require specimens/microscopes. Keys are also tough; the ones we have (one from the Royal Entomological Society I believe, and one more recent key by Gavin Broad) will only take you to sub-family. Then, you need to track-down a key to the sub-family to get to species-level - all in all pretty long-winded, and hard to get specimens confirmed. In the UK we have about 2,000 species and very, very few local specialists in these.

Oh, and sorry - my mistake

[Klaas Reißmann]

Hi Jason,

why "sorry" and what mistake? I'm reading an english forum and should be doing more than my very best to get it. If I don't get it, I have two hands and five fingers on each to type a question. Just keep on going. Maybe my English gets better by this way. If not than I haven't got enough brains and it is my problem not yours. Isn't it?

Have a nice sunday
Klaas

[theresa dockery]

I hope this harmless wee Ichneumon was eventually taken outside and released?

I only ask, because there's been a spate of frenzied Ichneumon swatting posts in the last week...

[willowjay]

Indeed, he was carefully taken out to some bushes in the garden, and gently persuaded to become a garden resident, rather than a house guest.

I'm not at all a 'swotter' (I'm the person who rescues spiders in our family)

Many thanks to all who have identified him for me - obviously a good group of beasts to try and study.

thanks

willowjay