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Pink flanked Brachonid wasp

Callibracon capitator

Description:

This female wasp may be slightly damaged with her front left leg tucked behind. She was in the same location for 2 days. About 22mm long. Orange head showing ocelli, long fine antennae, a distinct pink section between abdomen and thorax, dark tinted and heavily veined wings, abdomen with black and white bands and an ovipositor about the same length as the abdomen.

Habitat:

Under strong lights at the local school.

Notes:

Yet to study wing venation in detail. There are many similar to this around here and the pink part has been noticed before and also been seen in yellow and white. Also similar ones are found with varying lengths of ovipositor which I guess are different species. I suspect much work is still to be done in describing these creatures.... the search begins.... ok Callibracon capitator is looking good except for the pink flanks vs. white Thanks John La Salle and Stephen Thorpe.

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9 Comments

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 10 years ago

Thanks Jemma. I'll make a serious attempt when time allows. I might need to begin with several different dorsal shots flash on/off etc. as the wing transparency is the big hindrance.

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 10 years ago

great idea about enhancing the veins.

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 10 years ago

Thanks Mac

MacChristiansen
MacChristiansen 10 years ago

Nice one Mark

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 10 years ago

Ha ha - you're right. It's not something one can knock over in a few minutes. :-) Check pic 2.

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 10 years ago

I have dorsal views not posted. I was thinking I could isolate the top wing and enhance the veins. I'll have a go now...

MartinL
MartinL 10 years ago

Nice shot, Mark. How do you study the wing venation with our primitive tools? I've seen this one a couple of times but not the pink version. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/831...

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 10 years ago

Thanks so much John. I'll have to practice seeing the difference... some reading to do.

Mark Ridgway
Spotted by
Mark Ridgway

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Spotted on Sep 13, 2013
Submitted on Sep 14, 2013

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