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This Ichneumon was photographed on 30/03/2007 at Cley marshes in Norfolk, UK. It was found on the Alexanders plant (Smyrnium olusatrum).

I wonder if anyone could confirm the identification of the species please.

I think it could be either I.suspiciosus or I.stramentarius. The pale section in the antenna seems to suggest either of these two species.
The book I'm using suggests a broad red or orange abdominal band for I.suspiciosus and a yellow band for I.stramentarius. Maybe the bands in the legs give it away?

Tony from Tilehurst, Reading, Berks, UK.

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Hi Tony
I think it is more likely to be Ichneumon stramentor, as the latter has the yellow band on the antennae, while I. stramentarius does not have it, I believe.
See for instance
http://www.entomopix.eu/families.php?id=60&order_id=7&pg=2&
and other pictures therein.

which, I am afraid, is a circular reference, as that is my own website.:) Yet I got those info from a reliable source at the time....

Philippe

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Hi Tony!
Ichneumon stramentarius Gravenhorst replaces now Ichneumon septentrionalis atrifemur key Perkins, 1960!
Ichneumon stramentarius of old is called now stramentor Rasnitzyn! ;)

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Thanks for the info, but still a little confused!!

The Taxon reference records in the database I'm using, will allow me to enter either I.stramentarius (Gravenhorst), I.suspiciosus or I.septentrionalis.

However, it will not let me enter I.stramentor.

But if I look at http://www.galerie-insecte.org/galerie/html/IHymenopteraIchneumonidae.html then the photo of I.stramentor sure does look like mine!!

Are we saying that I.stramentor was my insect but has now been re-classified as I.stramentarius?

Confused Tony.

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Your Ichneumon is Ichneumon stramentor Rasnitzyn!
In the past called stramentarius Grav