Subject: what is this bug? a kind of Fly?
Location: Saudi Arabia_Madinah
April 21, 2014 8:45 am
Can you please identify this bug?
I’ve found it sitting on a leaf, in the morning in 21/4/2014.
I couldn’t take any pictures, except for this one.
and thank you.
Signature: M.A
Dear M.A.,
We wish your image had more detail. At first we thought this might be a Fly in the order Diptera, but the antennae look decidedly unflylike. We now believe this is a Hymenopteran, the order that includes bees and wasps, and we believe it might be a Sawfly. We wish we were able to tell if there is one pair of wings or two pairs. Perhaps one of our readers will be able to assist in this identification.
Not a sawfly, clearly a sphecoid, probably bembicine
Thanks for the correction.
This looks to be very similar to the Sand Digger Wasps I’ve been photographing — and just looking at this morning — in Cyprus (but I cannot attach a photo in a comment — or if I can I do not know how). Perhaps Ammophila?
I’m finding out that the fauna of Saudi Arabia often is also found in Cyprus such as with the very cool Carpenter Bees of which I also some great pics.
Hi Curious Girl,
You cannot attach an image to a comment, but when you are able, if you can send that Sand Wasp image, it would be great.
This looks to be very similar to the Sand Digger Wasps I’ve been photographing — and just looking at this morning — in Cyprus (but I cannot attach a photo in a comment — or if I can I do not know how). Perhaps Ammophila?
I’m finding out that the fauna of Saudi Arabia often is also found in Cyprus such as with the very cool Carpenter Bees of which I also some great pics.