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

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:07 pm

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??

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:19 pm

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 · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:28 am

Thanks Rik, that is a great help.

I certainly seem to find weird things on my walks.

There was a strange fly too but I will post it tomorrow.

Gordon C. Snelling · Post by **Gordon C. Snelling** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:58 am

I think Rik is dead on with this one.

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:01 am

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

jmlphoto · Post by **jmlphoto** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:01 am

my guess was some sort of wasp/bee that didnt develop as well.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:24 am

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.

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:23 pm

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!

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:17 pm

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.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:23 pm

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.