Unusual flying insect

Interested10 · #1 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 11:50 AM

Hi, I am a new member, but previously have viewed your forum chats to identify insects I have never seen before, which has been very useful. I hope someone can help me identify something I seen on a bus yesterday.

It was approx one inch long, with wings, a long body which was cloudy but clear, with a line or hoop through the middle which was red (possible pocket of blood) It also appeared to have bright red front legs (I think the two long back legs were black). It looked like it may have had a small sting. It was a busy bus, and I had my small nephew next to me, so I kept my eye on it without wanting to draw his attention to it. I did not have a camera on me so unfortunately, no photo. Any help would be much appreciated. I am in Edinburgh.

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 01:32 PM

Hi Interested10, welcome to WAB.

It sounds like an Ichneumon wasp, the 'stinger' will likely have been the female's ovipositor for laying eggs.

I'm not sure about the cloudy but clear body, but there's a lot of wasps which have red colouring and red and black legs.

Take a look at some here.

Interested10 · #3 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 04:26 PM

Hi JRsbugs, thanks for taking the time to get back to me. The insect I saw does not match any of the photos, but the body shape was similar, so would guess it is part of the same family. I have never seen anything like it before, but will keep my eyes peeled and hopefully will get a photo next time. Thanks again