Photos / Sounds

Observer

karenretra

Date

October 29, 2019 07:09 PM AEDT

Description

On dusk - roosting/resting for the night.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

karenretra

Date

November 2, 2019 03:55 PM AEDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

karenretra

Date

November 2, 2019 01:27 PM AEDT

Description

Approx 13mm in length. Resting on Daphne Heath - Brachyloma daphnoides. Not observed feeding.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

karenretra

Date

October 29, 2019 06:19 PM AEDT

Description

Observation notes:
Towards dusk, warm sunny day. Wasps were on the wing when first noticed - a curious look with their long ovipositors extending behind them when flying. Seven individuals all landed on the trunk of one tree (Eucalyptus blakelyi ?) about 1.8 m high.
The pink 'flank' colour and very long ovipositors were the first features to catch my eye once they had landed. The pink colouring to the abdomens may have been accentuated by the low, setting sunlight. Individuals varied in size (at a rough guess, 20mm to 30mm in length, but only estimated by eye, and not entirely confident). All appeared to be female, as they all had ovipositors. The ovipositors were at least twice as long as their bodies, and in some cases almost three times as long.

At first the seven individuals were dispersed on the tree trunk, within about 75cms of each other. Later at least six congregated at a particular crevice in the bark. They appeared to assess the crevice using their antennae and then moved away from the inspected spot to enable them to place their ovipositor there. After that they again dispersed on the trunk, on foot, and some were seen ovipositing in other cracks in the bark. Some ants on the trunk appeared to unsettle the wasps and some then flew higher on the trunk, others flew away.
Total time of observation: 22 minutes.

ID notes:
Braconinae? I have been failing miserably with my wasp ID attempts, so I should leave it to others!

I have found similar looking observations online, most of which have been attributed to Callibracon and some tentatively as C. capitator … though descriptions of this species appear not to include the pink colour and ovipositor length is generally same as body length.
Eg by David Akers (strong match); Tony D (a male); and several with pink markings but with shorter ovipositors than my observation … including those of Jamos, Tamara Leitch and Mark Ridgway.

I've looked at Quicke and Ingram (1993, Australian Braconine - referenced in some other online sightings) but to my reading of the key [likely incorrect!], the ovipositor length relative to forewing doesn't fit for a Callibracon / Campyloneurus outcome. There are many characters I am unsure about. And I understand this group is in need of a revision. Or perhaps I am completely on the wrong path!?

I'd super appreciate any insights/tips/help! :)