Thread subject: Diptera.info :: WWW: Wingless Winter Wasp ;-)

Posted by Juergen Peters on 29-12-2007 21:35
#1

Hello!

I found this wingless wasp yesterday afternoon at a beech in the forest (oaks also present nearby), Ostwestfalen/Germany. Length about 5-6 mm. Could it be Biorrhiza pallida (I find the name sometimes with two 'r', sometimes only one) from the Cypinidae (gall wasps)? Thanks!

Larger picture (157 KB):
http://www.foto-u..._W_big.jpg

Edited by Juergen Peters on 29-12-2007 21:36

Posted by Juergen Peters on 29-12-2007 21:36
#2

Another picture.

Posted by ChrisR on 30-12-2007 00:21
#3

I'm not sure if you have alternative species but it does look like a cynipid and B.pallida would fit the bill because they are active around oaks on warmer days in winter. :)

Posted by Juergen Peters on 30-12-2007 01:06
#4

Hello, Chris!

Chris Raper wrote:
I'm not sure if you have alternative species but it does look like a cynipid and B.pallida would fit the bill because they are active around oaks on warmer days in winter. :)


Thanks! According to "Entomofauna germanica" Biorhiza pallida (there spelled with only one 'r') is the only species in that genus in Germany. But I don't know, if there are similar looking wasps in related genera.

Posted by ChrisR on 31-12-2007 13:27
#5

Andricus spp. are orange but they (all?) have wings as far as i know, so Biorhiza seems the most plausible. :)

Posted by Juergen Peters on 31-12-2007 20:33
#6

Chris Raper wrote:
Andricus spp. are orange but they (all?) have wings as far as i know, so Biorhiza seems the most plausible. :)


Thanks, Chris! And a happy new year! :D

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 31-12-2007 23:45
#7

cynipids. :) did you see any torymids around? ;)

Posted by Juergen Peters on 01-01-2008 03:08
#8

Hello, Jorge!

jorgemotalmeida wrote:
did you see any torymids around? ;)


No, the last Chalcidoidea were around here at the end of November to beginning of December:
http://insektenfo...adid=11718
http://insektenfo...adid=11651

Look here for the last insects and arachnids of the year 2007 B) (taken at 23 o'clock on December-31 in the garden, 0 ?C, very misty and wet):
http://insektenfo...adid=12140
Some more nightly spiders from Dec-30:
http://insektenfo...adid=12137