Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#2466664
Aprostocetus? & hitchhiker - female

Aprostocetus? & hitchhiker - Female
Lake Needwood, Montgomery County, Maryland, USA
June 14, 2025
Size: body & forewing ~1mm
Appears to key out to Aprostocetus, possibly subgenus Aprostocetus in both ((1), couplet 105) and ((2), couplet 55’). The single long cercal seta appears to fit with that genus but I’m not entirely sure about the “raised lobe of callus partly overhanging [the] outer rim of spiracle”. However, at those couplets, both keys make the seta and callus either/or features.

I was quite surprised to see what appears to be a phoretic mite clinging to such a tiny wasp.

larger version here

Confirmation/correction of the ID would be much appreciated. TIA

Images of this individual: tag all
Aprostocetus? & hitchhiker - female Aprostocetus? & hitchhiker - female Aprostocetus? & hitchhiker - female Aprostocetus? & hitchhiker - female Aprostocetus? & hitchhiker - female Aprostocetus? & hitchhiker - female