Parasitic Hymenopteran (Ichneumon or Braconid?) from Germany

bugman

November 17th, 2011 at 6:07 am

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Wasp? Horntail? in Thuringen Germany
Location: Central Germany
November 15, 2011 6:51 pm
I took this photo with a 100mm Macro in Heilbad-Heilegnstadt Thuringen, Germany.
It measured less than 1/2 inch, as you can see from the veins of the leaf.
I have tried to identify it to no avail.
Please help
Signature: Laurel R.

Parasitic Hymenopteran

Hi Laurel,
This is a Parasitic Hymenopteran, most likely an Ichneumon, but possibly a Braconid. She is a female and the stingerlike ovipositor is used to lay eggs inside the host, generally an insect. Ichneumons and Braconids are important biological control agents that are usually very host specific. We rarely attempt to identify most Ichneumons and Braconids to the species level as it is a task best left to specialists.

Thank you Daniel! I searched and searched to id that little wasp, even with your further information I could not find
a photo of it.
I live in Nyack, New York about 20 miles north of New York City. I have been writing about the insects in my garden
daily since July. The variety of species is amazing!
The photos are from my recent trip to visit my son in Thuringen.
Sincerely,
Laurel Robertson