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Ichneumonidae family
Ichneumonidae is a family within the insect order Hymenoptera. Insects in this family are commonly called ichneumon wasps. Less exact terms are ichneumon flies (they are not closely related to true flies), or scorpion wasps due to the extreme lengthening and curving of the abdomen (scorpions are not insects). Simply but ambiguously these insects are commonly called "ichneumons", which is also a term for the Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon); ichneumonids is often encountered as a less ambiguous alternative. Ichneumon wasps are important parasitoids of other insects. Common hosts are larvae and pupae of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera.
Spotted in mixed forest near water.
9 Comments
@alicelongmartin, if it wasn't for the location your suggestion of a Horse Guard Wasp would have been it I think.
I just learned from a local Dutch website that we have over 1500 different wasps in the Netherlands, a lot of them look alike. I think I have to do a lot more research :-)!
Weets... I think your second picture will help you lot in confirming the specie. You can see it in actual size and judge its back, waist and tail parts on your computer.
@Ashish Never a good idea to disturb a sleeping wasp,... better to say to disturb nature in general.
@alicelongmartin, Well, I'm not completely sure on the ID so I will look into your suggestion. Although I wasn't able to get a good shot from the side or back I still have a bit more detail in my head.
But of course we are talking about another country so stick with what you have.
It looks like a Horse Guard Wasp in my book from what we can see. The yellow legs help.
hehehe...may be... Good luck next time..!!
It was so well 'hidden' in the plant that I could not take better pictures. A shame I know, but I didn't want to make him move (it was early morning, he seemed still asleep :-) ).
I like to see complete side view of this wasp..!!
Third picture is very interesting with wasps moves..!!