Posted by Diego Rosa on 25-01-2019 19:06
#1
Hi, I found this wasp near the Ephesus ancient ruins, in Turkey. It has some particular aspects, as the rounded abdominal end, and the third pair of legs- I'd like to identify it.
Regards
Diego Rosa
Edited by Diego Rosa on 25-01-2019 19:07
Posted by Marc T on 25-01-2019 20:51
#3
Hi both,
it's a
Leucospis sp. (Chalcidoidea, Leucospidae), parasitoids of bees. I guess it's a female, with forwards bended ovipositor on the upper side of abdomen (although not doubtless visible for me).
BR, Marc
Posted by Diego Rosa on 25-01-2019 22:24
#4
Thank you very much, John and Marc.
Greetings.
Diego Rosa
Posted by Marc T on 26-01-2019 08:48
#5
Hi Diego Rosa,
now I went through the "Keys to the Chalcidoidea of Czechoslovakia" by Peck, Boucek and Hoffer (1964).
The reddish base of antennal funicle could give an indication for
L. gigas. Please don't take this as an ID, there might be also other species with this character, I'm not familiar enough with this taxon to exclude other possibilities.
The ground looks quite interesting, it COULD show a nest of
Megachile parietina, or
M. sicula, which is a recorded/potential hosts for
L. gigas.
But, as mentioned: this is of course rather speculation, but maybe you'll remember more details of the spot, where you have taken the picture.
Marc
Posted by Diego Rosa on 28-01-2019 21:05
#6
Many thanks again Marc T, unfortunately, I have no more pictures of the surrounding areas. I focused on the insect.
Regards
Diego Rosa