Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Ichneumon ?

Posted by LordV on 15-07-2006 23:08
#1

Small Ichneumon I assume, sitting on my car. Taken today South coast UK. Bug about 4mm long not including ovipositor.
Shot taken at 3:1 and focus stacked from 2 shots.
Any ID ideas?
Thanks Brian V.

static.flickr.com/76/190273588_baa50e3cf0_o.jpg

Posted by Jan Willem on 16-07-2006 17:16
#2

Hi Brian,

My guess would be that this is a member of the family Braconidae.

Jan Willem

Posted by LordV on 17-07-2006 22:58
#3

Thanks Jan :)
Brian V.

Posted by Paul Beuk on 18-07-2006 09:12
#4

Jan Willem, how about Alysiinae?

Posted by Jan Willem on 18-07-2006 09:38
#5

Hi Paul,

I don't think this one belongs to the Alysiinae. The mandibles don't seem alysiine-like to me. Furthermore I don't know any Alysiinae with such a narrow first abdominal segment! I'm thinking about Euphorinae, but that is nothing more than a wild guess.

Jan Willem

Posted by Robert Nash on 18-07-2006 09:55
#6

There is anOnline key:p:p beginning with the couplet Ichneumonidae/ Braconidae from the Wharton lab if you have a specimen Brian. I think we need the wing venation otherwise (and probably anyway so always try for a dorsal view). But I think this is one you know or you don't know.I don't.

http://hymenoptera.tamu.edu/keys/?taxcpl=cpl&taxcpl_id=2

The Wharton Lab keys are new to me. They are listed here
http://hymenoptera.tamu.edu/keys/

Anyone interested in Tephritidae might like the key on parasitoids of that family.

Robert

Posted by Jan Willem on 18-07-2006 13:36
#7

Hi,

Kees van Achterberg (specialist on Braconidae) confirmed my "wild guess". According to him it is probably a species of the genus Meteorus [Braconidae: Eurphorinae].

Jan Willem

Posted by Robert Nash on 18-07-2006 14:01
#8

Hi, Very impressive Jan.Obviously a very well informed;) guess .We won't get any higher an authority than Kees so that's it -a species of the genus Meteorus. Nice to have such a good photo.

Robert

Posted by Jan Willem on 18-07-2006 14:59
#9

Hi Robert,

Well, I have to admit that I am not entirely unfamiliar with braconids. I have been studying Dutch Opiinae under the supervision of Kees. However that was about 10 years ago. During the last 8 years I have not been studying Braconidae at all. But apparently I still remembered some of the things Kees tried to teach me.

Jan Willem

Posted by cthirion on 18-07-2006 17:09
#10

C van Achterberg thinks

Euphorinae Meteorus

Posted by Jan Willem on 18-07-2006 21:44
#11

Hi Cthirion,

Kees already told me that you also asked to give his opinion about this specimen! So did I :D

Jan Willem

Posted by LordV on 18-07-2006 23:09
#12

Thanks for all the ID help everyone.
Just for interest , think I might have snapped the male today. Well it looks similar anyway.

static.flickr.com/44/192868008_1ab18bca43_b.jpg

Edited by LordV on 18-07-2006 23:10

Posted by cthirion on 18-07-2006 23:34
#13

;):D!

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 18-07-2006 23:38
#14

wow! so such impressive images!