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Yellow Ophion (Ophion Luteus) I know, it doesn&#039;t look that yellow, does it?<br /> <br /> This is unashamedly a &#039;probable&#039; ID, that ID having been made by me, but confirmed as far as a photo/video can confirm with these poorly studied Ichneumons, by probably the top expert in the country. (as ID&#039;d by me).<br /> <br /> Usually nocturnal, I accidentally disturbed this specimen in some woodland near my home, and managed to track it down to the tree to where it had fled rather indignantly.<br /> <br /> I took the red colouring as sage advice not to stray too close.<br /> <br /> More information and a short video here: <section class="video"><iframe width="448" height="282" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/NYh1web9b0o?hd=1&autoplay=0&rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></section> Geotagged,Ophion luteus,Summer,United Kingdom Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Yellow Ophion (Ophion Luteus)

I know, it doesn't look that yellow, does it?

This is unashamedly a 'probable' ID, that ID having been made by me, but confirmed as far as a photo/video can confirm with these poorly studied Ichneumons, by probably the top expert in the country. (as ID'd by me).

Usually nocturnal, I accidentally disturbed this specimen in some woodland near my home, and managed to track it down to the tree to where it had fled rather indignantly.

I took the red colouring as sage advice not to stray too close.

More information and a short video here:

    comments (4)

  1. View Gary B's profile
    Gary B
    Lion
    View Lion class
    I have seen this genus where I live (Minnesota) and don't know how to tell one species from another (there are some 17 species in North America). Found this article on the host insects of Ophion luteus https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/5347/

    And this on identifying British species https://www.naturespot.org.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/british-ichneumonid-wasps-id-guide.pdf     Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
    1. View Philip Booker's profile
      Philip Booker
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Hi Gary

      Thank you.

      I've used this guide before.

      The expert I spoke to is the one thanked in the acknowledgement of this document, which is very helpful, although covering approx 25 out of 2,500 odd Ichneumons has it's obvious limitations.

      Some of the variances can only be confirmed with a specimen in hand, or pinned.

      I'd never seen one this close up before yesterday.       Posted 5 years ago
    2. View Philip Booker's profile
      Philip Booker
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Gary

      Thank you for the ID.       Posted 5 years ago
  3. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Love it! Posted 5 years ago

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The Ophion luteus

A large wasp (20mm) with a red or orange body, antennae and legs. The wings are clear with black veins and a very short ramellus and the body often has an arched appearance. These nocturnal wasps are common in Britain and are often attracted to light traps in August and September.

Info 1 0
Similar species: Wasps, Bees, Sawflies And Ants
Species identified by Gary B
View Philip Booker's profile

By Philip Booker

All rights reserved
Uploaded Sep 6, 2020. Captured Sep 5, 2020 15:04 in Benfield Hill Local Nature Reserve, A27, Hove BN3 8EX, UK.
country flag of United Kingdom Explore United Kingdom 3,303 1,262 0
  • DSC-RX10M4
  • f/4.0
  • 1/125s
  • ISO250
  • 220mm
Captured in the summer. More summer photos.