Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Ichneumonid orchid pollinator
Posted by ChrisR on 22-06-2011 12:05
#1
Malcolm Brownsword sent me the following photos of a ichneumon (braconid?) that was seen visiting orchids on Porton Down, southern England, last weekend. As you can see, it has pollinia attached to the face so he is very interested to learn more about it. I have told him that the likelihood of an identification is fairly remote but I thought I'd offer it up anyway, just in case :)
Edited by ChrisR on 22-06-2011 12:06
Posted by ChrisR on 22-06-2011 12:05
#2
another angle...
Posted by ChrisR on 22-06-2011 12:05
#3
another angle...
Posted by ChrisR on 22-06-2011 12:06
#4
another angle...
Posted by cthirion on 22-06-2011 21:04
#5
Perhaps Cratichneumon sp?????
Camille
Posted by cthirion on 22-06-2011 21:04
#6
Perhaps Cratichneumon sp?????
Camille
Posted by ChrisR on 22-06-2011 22:08
#7
Many thanks for trying - I thought it would be impossible even to genus :D
Posted by Graeme Cocks on 22-06-2011 23:02
#8
Could it be Tiphiidae?
Posted by Graeme Cocks on 22-06-2011 23:03
#9
Could it be Tiphiidae?
Posted by ChrisR on 22-06-2011 23:16
#10
We only have 2 tiphiids in the UK and they are both very hairy and don't really look like this one ... but it is a good idea because they are very common at flowers :)
Posted by cthirion on 23-06-2011 19:53
#11
article antenna numbers.....not possible Tiphiidae!
Posted by Sundew on 23-06-2011 20:58
#12
Which Orchid is visited? (I collect information about Orchid pollinators.) And what is the wasp looking for? Is nectar offered? Many Orchids deceive their visitors and offer nothing. Sexual deception, however, is obviously not taking place here. So what makes the wasp poke its head to the pollinia? It gathered such a lot - will it place them correctly on the stigma? If not, it could not be considered a true pollinator.
Posted by ChrisR on 23-06-2011 21:07
#13
It was visiting
Coeloglossum (now
Dactylorhiza?)
viride :)