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Hi guys,

I spotted this beautiful specimen moments after it had grabbed an Australian Native Bee. At first I thought it was a wasp with the markings being very similar to a type of Ichneumon that is around in large numbers at the moment.

I don't suppose anyone can give me an ID?

All input much appreciated.

Trev

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Another view

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A head on shot

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It seems to be a Dasypogoninae, maybe a species of the genus Chryseutria - very similar to Chryseutria nigrinus, but please add a question mark! I have some specimens in my collection, which have the same chaetotaxy on the mesonotum, abdomen and face. Nevertheless 2/3 of the Australian species and 1/3 of the genera are undescribed.

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Looks a lot like this one from the Northern Territory that I posted a few years ago: http://www.dipter...ad_id=1634

Not that it helps much with the ID...

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Thanks Dysmachus and Susan. It does look pretty similar to your Susan apart from the 5 segment beard (which makes me think of Doctor Zoidberg ) but that could be just focus. After reading a published paper by Robert Lavigne it seems pretty close to the C. nigrinus, even down to the description of hanging by one leg to feed.

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The similarity is remarkable - to Dr Zoidberg, I mean :D