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Photo#624029
Ichneumon Wasp - Pseudorhyssa nigricornis - female

Ichneumon Wasp - Pseudorhyssa nigricornis - Female
Broadmoor, Massachusetts, USA
August 31, 1997
Any other information is appreciated.

Moved
Moved from Rhyssa.

This is a tricky one. Our eastern Rhyssa have complete loops around the eyes, but at least the posterior orbits are black here. Plus, I don't believe I'm seeing any prominent markings on the first 3 or 4 abdominal segments. That combined with the entirely unmarked sternum should rule out all eastern Rhyssa (as each has some markings or other that isn't present here). That should instead point towards Pseudorhyssa, which is the only species outside of Rhyssinae to have a ridged mesoscutum. Also like Rhyssa, it's a parasitoid of horntails. Other traits to be absolutely certain (differences in wing venation, groove on the second segment of the abdomen, and lack of a horn on the apical segment thereof) aren't visible from here, but it seems to be the only species left by process of elimination.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Rhyssinae (female)…
See reference here.

 
Thank you.
Thanks very much.

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