Chalcid Wasp

Encyrtid...

The flattened, convex, and compact body, middle legs with an enlarged and thickened tibial spur, 5-segmented tarsi, and wide separation between the mid and hind coxa seem to indicate a chalcid wasp in the subfamily Encrytidae. In the similar subfamily Aphelinidae, the middle legs have an enlarged tibial spur, but it is not thickened, therefore, Richard's reference for image #148031 is likely not correct.

See reference here:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/16847

… Ross Hill, 14 May, 2009 - 3:36pm

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Uhhhh, ok, but who's Richard?

… Sam Houston, 14 May, 2009 - 3:52pm

Sorry...

I guess I wasn't too clear. Richard Vernier is who I was referring to. He ID'd that image (#148031) that was referenced by Will. See image below. Better?

… Ross Hill, 14 May, 2009 - 9:23pm

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Yes, better. I thought I was losing it for a minute there....and maybe I am anyway....

… Sam Houston, 14 May, 2009 - 10:36pm

I believe he means Will... od

I believe he means Will... oddly enough my dad's name is Richard

… Will Chatfield-Taylor, 14 May, 2009 - 4:13pm

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Well that's weird.

… Sam Houston, 14 May, 2009 - 4:35pm

Aphelinidae

I think this might be Aphelinidae. It looks like it has a tibial spur on the mesotibia, which would be indicative of this family.

What do you think?

… Will Chatfield-Taylor, 11 May, 2009 - 8:35pm

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It does have a similar spur but asking what I think is like asking a monkey to complete an algebra problem.....I have no idea, but thanks for asking :-)

… Sam Houston, 11 May, 2009 - 8:58pm

I couldn't tell you what it i

I couldn't tell you what it is, but I don't think its a Chalcid wasp; it doesn't appear to have enlarged femurs. It might be in that superfamily though. Nice photo of something really tiny

… Will Chatfield-Taylor, 11 May, 2009 - 4:35pm

Thanks Will

It drives me nuts when they're this little and I don't have the 65mm. But, someday.....

… Sam Houston, 11 May, 2009 - 8:27pm

You have the MP-E? I can't us

You have the MP-E? I can't use it in the field because my hands shake too much! Keeps me from shooting the really small stuff! Whatever you use, you've become extremely adept at it!

… Will Chatfield-Taylor, 11 May, 2009 - 8:30pm

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No, I don't have it....yet. Right now I have the Canon 100mm. Believe me, my hands shake too....a lot. If you only knew of all the pics I don't submit due to blurry shaky pics. If I ever do get the 65mm I'm sure I'll have to use a tripod.

… Sam Houston, 11 May, 2009 - 8:52pm