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Photo#175414
Wasp ID

Wasp ID
Norfolk, Virginia, USA
March 30, 2008
Size: ~5mm
This looks like a tiny Gall Wasp. Imaged on a dark/cool rainy day.

Images of this individual: tag all
Wasp ID Wasp ID

Moved
to guide page for now.

Forewing venation...
clearly indicates a Cynipoid Wasp (best visible on the picture from above - at right). But finding out the family will be rather more tricky! This could indeed be a tiny Cynipidae, but a member of Figitidae family as well.
Unless somebody knows to whom this peculiar red and black pattern belongs, I'm afraid going beyond superfamily level won't be possible from these two pictures, despite their quality and high magnification, as Eric points out.
Mainly because two key features of the gaster(detail of segmentation, and shape of ovipositor if a female, which I cannot even ascertain here)are unfortunately not visible, or at least not well enough.

Braconidae?
My first thought is a braconid, but I might be way off. I rarely see them up close like this:-) LOL!

 
Thanks Eric!
You'll probably be seeing them even closer once I get my Canon MP-E65 lens in the coming weeks :^)

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