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Monomachus antipodalis
A small slender black wasp about 15 mm long. It had a narrow waist and a long tapering abdomen. Femurs were slightly thickened and tibiae showed spurs ? This little wasp kept wiggling it's long abdomen and antennae.
Spotted under bright lights -suburban car yard. National park and gardens nearby. Distribution: http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:b...
My thanks to Stephen Thorpe for the ID.
There are three known species of Monomachid wasps Australia and M.antipodalis is the only one found in Victoria, it seems. They are said to be more active in cooler months and one species in Australia is said to parasitise eggs of Boreoides, a Soldier Fly (Stratiomyidae).
Order: HYMENOPTERA
superfamily:PROCTOTRUPOIDEA
family:MONOMACHIDAE
genus: Monomachus
Thanks for your comment John La Salle - that abdomen caught my eye ! have never seen anything like this around these parts for sure.
@Lauren - yes, I almost brushed it off the car, walking past it - then saw the pointy wiggly abdomen.
Wonderful ! Thank you so much Stephen. Was hoping you'd see this spotting. Truly amazing find for me.
Spotted on Apr 17, 2014
Submitted on Apr 18, 2014
