Thread subject: Diptera.info :: parasitic wasp w conspicuous wings -> Heydenia pretiosa

Posted by Carnifex on 21-10-2019 20:18
#1

Hi,
can this wasp be identified (family/genus maybe)? I think I lost the sample, so these are all the images I can provide. Found in June in Vienna, near forest edge.

inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/42732124/large.jpeg
inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/42732076/large.jpeg

Edited by Carnifex on 20-11-2022 21:53

Posted by Marc T on 22-10-2019 10:53
#2

Hi Lorin,

just went through my "illustrated key to West-Palearctic Genera of Pteromalidae" from Boucek and Rasplus (1991). Your specimen could be a female Heydenia pretiosa, in the key described as follows:

"Pronotum long and narrow, with lower edges of lateral pannels widening forwards. Thorax virtually bare. Forewing with 3 dark bands, proximal one small, attached to enlarged parastigma which bears a tuft of black bristles. Antennae in both sexes simple, filiform, without conspicuous pilosity"

further down: "Only H. pretiosa FĂ–RSTER. Parasite of scolytids; adults apprear on trunks and twigs of infested dying trees. Whole Europe."

The picture in the key looks pretty similar to your images.

As chalcids are a quite diverse group, it might also be a different species or even a member of another family. Maybe you can see more details on your original pics to confirm or reject Heydenia.

Best regards,

Marc

Posted by Carnifex on 22-10-2019 12:44
#3

Yes, thank you so much, Marc!
Indeed, the specimen was found on a pile of tree logs, where also various xylophagous beetles have been found. So habitat would be suitable as well. After looking at more images, I am very confident it is the suggested species.