I cannot even begin to identify this - help please!!

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JoanYoung
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I cannot even begin to identify this - help please!!

Post by JoanYoung »

I found this on my walk yesterday but unfortunately it was dead already or else I would hve brought it home to see what it developes into.
It was situated on the leaf of a tree about 4 foot off the ground and is about 12mm in length.
Can anyone tell me what it might be??

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Joan Young

rjlittlefield
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Post by rjlittlefield »

It's pretty dried up, but from the shape of the wingpads, the antennae, the eyes, and the thorax, I'd guess that this is a wasp that died just barely after emerging from the pupa, before having a chance to expand its wings. Maybe one of the solitary species that bores in wood, or parasitizes other larvae that do? Hard to tell for sure. :?

--Rik

JoanYoung
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Post by JoanYoung »

Thanks Rik, that is a great help. :D I certainly seem to find weird things on my walks. :) There was a strange fly too but I will post it tomorrow.
Joan Young

Gordon C. Snelling
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Post by Gordon C. Snelling »

I think Rik is dead on with this one.

Harold Gough
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Post by Harold Gough »

Even with a fully developed specimen, someone capable of identifying it, and with the specimen in front of them, might have to turn it on its back and/or on its side, and generally view it from all angles. So the two shots were helpful. In some cases more might have helped.

With a specimen which has neither expanded its wings and abdomen, nor coloured up, there are limits to what can be done. It looks like a wasp and would have to be a solitary species to be so exposed, colonial ones emerging in their nest.

Harold
My images are a medium for sharing some of my experiences: they are not me.

jmlphoto
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Post by jmlphoto »

my guess was some sort of wasp/bee that didnt develop as well.
Jordan L. photo southern california.

JoanYoung
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Location: South Africa

Post by JoanYoung »

Thanks everyone for the input. I should have taken a picture of the underside too but did not think of it at the time. I appreciate all the help on this one. :)
Joan Young

Mike B in OKlahoma
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Post by Mike B in OKlahoma »

Strange-looking thing, Joan. I've not seen one just die like that. Would be a bit creepy to walk along and find it unexpectedly!
Mike Broderick
Oklahoma City, OK, USA

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Ken Ramos
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Post by Ken Ramos »

Tis a creepy looking critter fer sure. Reminds me of those cicada carapaces I find around every now and again. No, I would not venture even a guess as to what it could be, though I agree with the concensus that it may be a wasp. Good shots Joan. :D

JoanYoung
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Location: South Africa

Post by JoanYoung »

Thanks for the comments. It definitely was creepy looking and I thought it might be some kind of cricket, but my knowledge of these things is less than nil. :)
Joan Young

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