Insects

Observed by Simon WalkerSimon Walker's reputation in InvertebratesSimon Walker's reputation in InvertebratesSimon Walker's reputation in InvertebratesSimon Walker's reputation in Invertebrates on 13th August 2012
Two insects, Rye Meads, 2012-08-13 001
Two insects, possible victim, Rye Meads, 2012-08-13 005

I don't know if I've got two species or just one here... The second picture is of the insect beneath the other, which had by then flown away; I couldn't find it again.
They were on phragmites reeds, later tansy.

Location: Rye Meads RSPB
Identifications
Species interactions

No interactions present.

Other observations of ichneumonid wasp (Ichneumoninae)

Comments

Thank you, Naturegirl and David

So we're talking Ichneumon wasps, possibly of the same species, but perhaps not. Tricky little devils, aren't they? I looked for a long ovipositor, thinking that might indicate some sort of Ichneumon, but neither insect seems to be so equipped. Does that mean we have two males? If so, they must be different species.

Gosh! Perhaps it's a new species! We could name it after me! (This is a joke ;-))

Regards

Thank you, Naturegirl and David

Somehow duplicated comment

male and female

females in the subfamily Ichneumoninae (as do many ichneumonids) usually have concealed ovipositors, that is to say, if no ovipositor is visible an ichneumonid is not necessarily male.

The colour patterns and body shapes in the pics above are consistent with a male and female ichneumonine.

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