ID please? It was found in Bhutan in maize. Could it be Cryptanura spinaria ??
@Thinley Jamtsho, due to the prominent white spot on its thorax, I am assuming it to be Xanthocryptus novozealandicus.
Try to search for more species, as it may be new species. You should first assure that this form is different than any existing species. I am not a specialist in your area of research but my experience is in paleontology and taxonomy.
Anyway, I can help you to identify this form by using geometric morphometrics techniques. If you wish to collaborate with me I can send you more details. Just you send me your email address.
Hello Thinley; Here is a reference that contains keys and illustrations to the families of Hymenoptera of the World.
Goulet, H and JT Huber 1993. Hymenoptera of the world: an identification guide to families. Research Branch Agriculture Canada Publ. 1894/E. 668 pp. Best regards, Jim Des Lauriers
There are a ton of similar black-and-white striped ichneumonids. The prominent notauli, narrowed first segment of the abdomen, and general coloration are decent indicators of Cryptinae, tribe Cryptini. I can't get you any further than that as you'll absolutely need a reference to the local taxa as opposed to a general reference as this is a very large tribe (well over 200 genera worldwide). This general coloration is also repeated in many, many species (for instance, I'm aware of a bit over 10 similar Cryptini from the US, and there's probably at least as many that I haven't seen within that range; and none of those are going to be found in Bhutan). It would be more than reasonable to consider that there may be several superficially similarly-colored species in Bhutan. Keys also will most likely require examining the specimen under the microscope. I can, however, rule out some of the aforementioned species.
Cryptanura spinaria is a North American species and definitely doesn't occur in Bhutan. That species is also more slender, especially in terms of the abdomen.
Xanthocryptus novozealandicus is endemic to Oceania, so there's zero chance of it being your species in Bhutan. In addition to the different hind leg coloration, that species has a much more prominent break in the orbital loop. I'm afraid it isn't a reasonable suggestion for an observation in Bhutan.
- Badges
- Science method
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Ecology