Fly/Wasp?? A couple for help with ID please.

[jaybie]

I was photographing some St Mark's flies and it was only when I downloaded the images that I noticed this was different ..



This (wasp I presume) was wandering around on the same leaves as the flies ..



Your help with ID greatly appreciated, JohnB

[Jason Green]

Evening John,

A female Bibio (need to check...), and a Sawfly.

Take care,

Jason

[Geoff F]

The sawfly rather resembles Tenthredo celtica but these are a 'specialised subject' so that is just a suggestion.

[trondi]

Having seen something similar nosing around my mining bees earthworks recently I tried to use the WAB resources to try and identify these thin wasp looking insects. However, I did not get very far as there isnt a proper key for identification purposes.

What is the easiest/correct way to go about identifying an unknown insect? (other than to post a photo of it on here LOL)

many thanks in advance

Dave

[Jason Green]

To which level - Order, Family or Species?

[jaybie]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

A female Bibio (need to check...), and a Sawfly.

Thanks Jason, in that case would I be right to assume this is a male of the species?



JohnB

[jaybie]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

The sawfly rather resembles Tenthredo celtica but these are a 'specialised subject' so that is just a suggestion.

Thanks Geoff. After Jason pointed me in the right direction I was surprised to find how many species there are so I can see why they would be a specialised subject.

JohnB

[Jason Green]

Yes, male Bibio marci. There are about 500 species of Sawfly in the UK, or so I've heard.

[jaybie]

Thanks again Jason.

Only 500, not many to get know then ;-)

JohnB

[Jason Green]

...yep, not like 1,400 Staphs.