Killer Wasp (1 Viewer)

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wolfphotos

Well-known member

• Aug 19, 2013

• #1

Okay the header was just to grab your attention but the wasp in the image below was the only other visible occupant of the tower hide at Strumpshaw last week and it looked like it meant business. I have tried to look it up on-line but with no success so I thought I would turn to the guys on here as you are always so helpful with bird I.D. The insect was about 2 1/2" long and I have never seen one before. Thanks in advance.

 

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chris butterworth

aka The Person Named Above

• Aug 19, 2013

• #2

It's one of the Ichneumons but, for the life of me, I can't remember which one. :-C

Chris

 

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black52bird

Registered User

• Aug 19, 2013

• #3

wolfphotos said:

Okay the header was just to grab your attention but the wasp in the image below was the only other visible occupant of the tower hide at Strumpshaw last week and it looked like it meant business. I have tried to look it up on-line but with no success so I thought I would turn to the guys on here as you are always so helpful with bird I.D. The insect was about 2 1/2" long and I have never seen one before. Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

It could be the Spider-hunting Wasp Episyron rufipes, because of the
distinctive colour of the legs.
Best
David

 

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wolfphotos

Well-known member

• Aug 19, 2013

• #4

Thanks guys I just wondered how come I had never seen anything like this before? It is very hard to miss.

 

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salticus

Well-known member

• Aug 21, 2013

• #5

It looks like a Pimpla species to me, but I'm no expert in hymenoptera.

 

david kelly

Drive-by Birder

• Aug 21, 2013

• #6

I think it is a Horntail, possibly Sirex noctilio.

David

 

Gill Osborne

Well-known member

• Aug 22, 2013

• #7

It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL, that's what it is :t: Must have been a thrill to see it :king:

I remember seeing my first Giant Wood Wasp when I stayed with a friend in July 1992 in Kent :eek!: Wow!!!! Awesome insect :t:

 

Ficedula

velico ergo sum

• Aug 23, 2013

• #8

Ichneumonidae. Salticus might be right, it is certainly reminicent of a pimpiline, but i think it is not. I would have to stick with Ichneumonidae in absence of specimen and a few hours at microscope with keys.

 

stuartelsom

Well-known member

• Aug 23, 2013

• #9

Could be Pimpla but could also be Diadegma or Lissonota, as you need to see the detail of the hind tibia pattern to be sure - I've been trying to ID these dammed things for ages now. No surprise then that some professional entomologists say that these are virtually undoable without a specimen under the microscope to examine.

 

Ficedula

velico ergo sum

• Aug 23, 2013

• #10

back at microscope now, having examined specimens, it does seem that Pimpla is a good fit, but really need specimen to rule out similar genera.