black bug - BugGuide.Net

you know it's not a sawfly when....

just a quick FYI: Sawflies don't have that nice "tapering" waist that we associate with most wasps. Compare here: http://bugguide.net/node/view/41340

And wonderful photo.

… M. N. O'Donnell, 16 December, 2007 - 1:48pm

Bethylid Wasp - male

Antennae are unsusually long, but I see hardly any other possibility. Shape of mesosoma and metasoma ("thorax" and "abdomen") does otherwise match very well. Only a dorsal view showing wing venation had helped to settle the matter.

… Richard Vernier, 14 December, 2007 - 4:06am

I would have thought that thi

I would have thought that this might be a male tiphiid. The shape and orientation of the head doesn't look right for Bethylidae, the sculpture on the head and thorax is too pronounced,and the thorax and abdomen look too hairy for any the species I'm familiar with. You're right though, without the wing venation I doubt you can say for sure what this is.

… Dennis Haines, 19 December, 2007 - 6:42pm

thanks! I'd have never figure

thanks! I'd have never figured this one out. unfortunately, I wasn't able to get another view on this one.

… Kim Fleming, 14 December, 2007 - 6:22am

Awesome image.

Just an outstanding image, Kim!

… Eric R. Eaton, 14 December, 2007 - 11:01am