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Hi All

I think this is a small ICHNEUMON type wasp. But with some really distiguishing characteristics!
1) Red front and mid legs
2) Thorax - predominantly black with some cream markings
3) Abdomen - Red and Black. Pale/Cream under the red part
4) Eyes - Black with cream surrounds
5) Antenae - Black and as long as the thorax and abdomen
6) Rear legs - Black, with some red, white socks
I have looked through everything I can lay my hands and eyes on and can't find it.
Could someone take a look and see if they can ID it please?

Thanks, Gareth

Note: Other pictures available

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Hi Gareth, it is indeed one of the Ichneumonidae and my first impression is subfamily Cryptinae. Strictly lateral, dorsal, frontal images may help to find out more.

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Thanks eklans.

More photos.

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Another

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Any other way to post multiple photos?

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One more.....

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That's the right way to post more photos and I'll try to find out more...

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Thanks for your help Eric

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It's a male Ischnus inquisitorius.

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Yes, that's it!

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Hi Eric and empeejay

Thanks for your help in IDing this.

I saw this here https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0000899805
last night but except that the rear legs were not the same.

I should also mention that many pictures show white banding of the antenae
is this a variable?

I find these wasps incredibly difficult. I am presuming that the rear legs are
more variable and the markings on the thorax and head are more diagnostic?

Can you point me in some sort of direction on these?

Yours

Gareth

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The species is very variable in the characters you mention. It's distinguished from the other three British species of the genus by the lack of red on the thorax and the extensive whitish markings on the head and thorax. It never has white at the base of the hind tibia or metatarsus.

It would be worth joining the British Ichneumonoidea Facebook group if you are interested in identifying Ichneumonids.

https://www.faceb...217827696/

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Hi empeejay
Thanks for the tips. I find keys very difficult, partly because of the terminology but also, sometimes my pictures may miss one specific area even though all other areas have been photographed.
Is there any reference that is more picture/illustration based available?
I'll take a look at the facebook group, though I am not a great fan of facebook. Though I could see a benefit it this case.
Thanks again to you and Eric. Gareth

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Hi Gareth, I think this book could help you to get an overview of the ichneumonidae and the very important classification (subfamilies!) - combined with some websites with images:

RES Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects Volume 7, Part 12
Gavin R. Broad, Mark R. Shaw & Michael G. Fitton
2018 - 418 pages
ISBN: 9781910159026

https://galerie-i...ae_01.html
http://www.biolib.../pos21,21/
http://aramel.fre...er-3.shtml
http://www.cthiri.../index.php

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Hi Eric

Thanks for the links and the book details. I will follow those up.
And obviously thanks for the help with the ID.

Yours, Gareth