Unusual looking wasp

[JonnyP]

There have been some great insects around this year. We found this wasp in the moth trap, in the morning. Its an ichenumonid wasp...........

Anyone else seen any strange looking insects...........

 

[British Red]

Its an ichenumonid wasp...........

Thats easy for you to say

 

[JonnyP]

Its an ichenumonid wasp...........

Thats easy for you to say

Lol..........I didn't say it, I only spelt it, or copied it I should say............

 

[British Red]

Pretty thing isn't it - fantastic photo as always Jon

 

[Keith_Beef]

Lol..........I didn't say it, I only spelt it, or copied it I should say............

But the guy on wildaboutbritain.co.uk might have misspelt it...

Try "ichneumonid wasp", instead.


K.

 

[JonnyP]

But the guy on wildaboutbritain.co.uk might have misspelt it...

Try "ichneumonid wasp", instead.


K.

Ahhhh, that will explain something, still does not make the pronounciation (sp? ) any better though. Cheers Keith............

 

[drstrange]

That's gotta be one of the best thred headers I've seen, that wasp is a groovy looking dude aint he!

 

[Galemys]

Beautiful picture & a pretty beastie as well.
The closest match in my 'Collins guide to the insects of britain & western Europe' is called Ophion luteus.

Tom

 

[mark a.]

Very cool. Is it actually a wasp at all? Does it sting etc? Or does it just fly around looking funky?

 

[JonnyP]

Cheers guys............Yes it is a wasp, yes I think it would be able to sting and yes it is both funky and groovy.
Galemys........I agree it does look like the Yellow Ophion, ophion lutus, but it says they only grow to 20 mm and mine is bigger than that ???...........

 

[Galemys]

Cheers guys............Yes it is a wasp, yes I think it would be able to sting and yes it is both funky and groovy.
Galemys........I agree it does look like the Yellow Ophion, ophion lutus, but it says they only grow to 20 mm and mine is bigger than that ???...........

Oh my god it's a mutant!
I believe these kind of parasitory wasps don't sting in self-defence, but only to stun their victims and subsequently lay eggs in them so their offspring can feed on the paralyzed body.
Up until now no humans have been reported as victims but off course this can also mean that the tiny wasplings(?) do a very thorough job....

Tom

 

[falling rain]

Cheers guys............Yes it is a wasp, yes I think it would be able to sting and yes it is both funky and groovy.
Galemys........I agree it does look like the Yellow Ophion, ophion lutus, but it says they only grow to 20 mm and mine is bigger than that ???...........

Jon , One should not brag about the size of one's Ophion Lutus..............Didn't your grandmother teach you anything?