3.5mm wasp found inside twig - Oethecoctonus oecanthi

Date?

Do you have the collection date for this specimen? Lack of that data prevents these images from showing in the Advanced Search.
Also, it is an adult female, so I added that to the data field.

… Beatriz Moisset, 22 March, 2011 - 7:42am

Not sure what date to put

The stem was opened in July - but I assume this dead individual failed to emerge the previous year after the eggs were laid (probably in August or September 2009).

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 22 March, 2011 - 5:55pm

I see

I have had the same situation a few times. In such cases I mention the date in the text and explain why I don't include it in the data field.
Such interesting find! I will start splitting twigs open :-)

… Beatriz Moisset, 22 March, 2011 - 6:01pm

Yes, I highly recommend opening twigs

...particularly those that have oviposit markings. I have also found 4 different types of mites.

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 22 March, 2011 - 6:08pm

Oethecoctonus oecanthi, female -- det. O.A. Popovici

his note: "Because of the distinctly excavate occiput I think that this wonderful scelionid is a female of Oethecoctonus oecanthi."

awesome addition!

Moved from parasitic Apocrita.

… v belov, 2 January, 2011 - 11:31am

Thank you so much for the ID!

...thanks, v. Could you please pass along a note of thanks to O.A. Popovici? This is great information that I will pass along to my Oecanthinae circle of friends. The name 'oecanthi' is obviously intriguing -- I'll have to do some research on that etymology.

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 2 January, 2011 - 1:23pm

etymology is obvious: a genitive from Oecanthus

literally, "Oecanthus's"

… v belov, 2 January, 2011 - 1:30pm

I'm having trouble finding Oethecoctonus

...is it a different spelling of oothec? -- indicating 'egg' related?

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 2 January, 2011 - 4:24pm

finding it where?

… v belov, 2 January, 2011 - 6:18pm

Sorry, should have typed....

I'm having trouble finding the meaning of the WORD Oethecoctonus.

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 2 January, 2011 - 6:32pm

i think your guess is correct:

something like ootheca-piercer/borer -- along these lines

… v belov, 2 January, 2011 - 6:34pm

ktonos = slayer

… v belov, 2 January, 2011 - 7:09pm

Perhaps misspelled

The "Oetheco-" part may have been accidentally misspelled, or maybe intentionally, to play on the Oecanthus connection. Taxonomists sometimes take great liberties with the coining of names, causing much cringeing on my part.

… James C. Trager, 15 December, 2016 - 7:23am

Moved

Moved from Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies.

… John S. Ascher, 12 August, 2010 - 10:07am