Here are a few of the tens of undescribed Ophion species from the western US. More can be seen on my draft guide page for North American Ophioninae: ichsofna.org/Ophioninae/g...
February 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Here are a few of the tens of undescribed Ophion species from the western US. More can be seen on my draft guide page for North American Ophioninae: ichsofna.org/Ophioninae/g...
Subfamily Ophioninae. Wasps who look just like each other, but have over 5% differences in DNA.
August 12, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Subfamily Ophioninae. Wasps who look just like each other, but have over 5% differences in DNA.
I've got a new rule for finding out if a wasp belongs to the same species as my Ugandan wasps:
"If it's from Madagascar, it's a different species. No I don't care how similar it looks, it's a different species."
This rule useful to all 1 people trying to match Ugandan Ophioninae to known species.
"If it's from Madagascar, it's a different species. No I don't care how similar it looks, it's a different species."
This rule useful to all 1 people trying to match Ugandan Ophioninae to known species.
September 16, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I've got a new rule for finding out if a wasp belongs to the same species as my Ugandan wasps:
"If it's from Madagascar, it's a different species. No I don't care how similar it looks, it's a different species."
This rule useful to all 1 people trying to match Ugandan Ophioninae to known species.
"If it's from Madagascar, it's a different species. No I don't care how similar it looks, it's a different species."
This rule useful to all 1 people trying to match Ugandan Ophioninae to known species.
Neulausjälki OK, mutta kyllä näitä isoja sirppiahmasia (Ophioninae) on vaikea työstää. Siivet niin haluaisivat taittua rullalle.
February 28, 2024 at 10:22 AM
Neulausjälki OK, mutta kyllä näitä isoja sirppiahmasia (Ophioninae) on vaikea työstää. Siivet niin haluaisivat taittua rullalle.
Famiglia Ophioninae. (Ma che carino/a!)
April 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Famiglia Ophioninae. (Ma che carino/a!)
Right, systematic search. I'm going to check these two wasps antenna tip to ovipositor, to find *something* to tell the species apart with. 🧪
September 5, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Right, systematic search. I'm going to check these two wasps antenna tip to ovipositor, to find *something* to tell the species apart with. 🧪
Want to learn how recognise Ugandan wasps? Here's my practical guide for the subfamily I'm working on right now.
KEY TO THE GENERA OF AFRICAN OPHIONINAE
1 It's an Enicospilus... Enicospilus Stephens, 1835
- Not an Enicospilus... 2
2 Answer honestly this time... 1
- Lie again... 2
KEY TO THE GENERA OF AFRICAN OPHIONINAE
1 It's an Enicospilus... Enicospilus Stephens, 1835
- Not an Enicospilus... 2
2 Answer honestly this time... 1
- Lie again... 2
December 15, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Want to learn how recognise Ugandan wasps? Here's my practical guide for the subfamily I'm working on right now.
KEY TO THE GENERA OF AFRICAN OPHIONINAE
1 It's an Enicospilus... Enicospilus Stephens, 1835
- Not an Enicospilus... 2
2 Answer honestly this time... 1
- Lie again... 2
KEY TO THE GENERA OF AFRICAN OPHIONINAE
1 It's an Enicospilus... Enicospilus Stephens, 1835
- Not an Enicospilus... 2
2 Answer honestly this time... 1
- Lie again... 2
Two mysteries I really want to solve:
1 Why do nocturnal wasps end up like this?
Netelia and Ophioninae really aren't any relation. We're closer related to dolphins than they are to each other. Yet it takes an expert, often with a scope, to tell them apart.
1 Why do nocturnal wasps end up like this?
Netelia and Ophioninae really aren't any relation. We're closer related to dolphins than they are to each other. Yet it takes an expert, often with a scope, to tell them apart.
November 8, 2024 at 9:08 AM
Two mysteries I really want to solve:
1 Why do nocturnal wasps end up like this?
Netelia and Ophioninae really aren't any relation. We're closer related to dolphins than they are to each other. Yet it takes an expert, often with a scope, to tell them apart.
1 Why do nocturnal wasps end up like this?
Netelia and Ophioninae really aren't any relation. We're closer related to dolphins than they are to each other. Yet it takes an expert, often with a scope, to tell them apart.
I find to my surprise that these two wasps are (almost certainly) the same species!
Quite a lot of variation in the propodeum structure. They look even more different in real life, the photos blur the differences a bit.
Quite a lot of variation in the propodeum structure. They look even more different in real life, the photos blur the differences a bit.
November 17, 2025 at 10:17 AM
I find to my surprise that these two wasps are (almost certainly) the same species!
Quite a lot of variation in the propodeum structure. They look even more different in real life, the photos blur the differences a bit.
Quite a lot of variation in the propodeum structure. They look even more different in real life, the photos blur the differences a bit.
Reading up on the taxonomic history of some Ophioninae wasp genera. It's interesting and occasionally odd.
"As originally described Eremotylus contained no species (Foerster, 1868)"
"As originally described Eremotylus contained no species (Foerster, 1868)"
December 18, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reading up on the taxonomic history of some Ophioninae wasp genera. It's interesting and occasionally odd.
"As originally described Eremotylus contained no species (Foerster, 1868)"
"As originally described Eremotylus contained no species (Foerster, 1868)"
Looks like we pinned a surprising number of Ugandan Ophioninae wasps. I've now filled another box with them.
Also Netelia. Which are totally different, no relation whatsoever to Ophioninae.. but see if you can decide which box has which in the picture.
Also Netelia. Which are totally different, no relation whatsoever to Ophioninae.. but see if you can decide which box has which in the picture.
November 8, 2024 at 9:05 AM
Looks like we pinned a surprising number of Ugandan Ophioninae wasps. I've now filled another box with them.
Also Netelia. Which are totally different, no relation whatsoever to Ophioninae.. but see if you can decide which box has which in the picture.
Also Netelia. Which are totally different, no relation whatsoever to Ophioninae.. but see if you can decide which box has which in the picture.
African Ophioninae wasps give me grief in more or less the same region. Is the comb-like row of hairs there part of the MACROTRICHIAL COMB or a FLANGE BEHIND THE MACROTRICHIAL COMB.
(To this day, I've not seen *any difference*, and I'm one of the experts on these.)
(To this day, I've not seen *any difference*, and I'm one of the experts on these.)
you fool, you simpleton, that was a PREMUCRO that was MARGINALLY BASAD of the uncus
March 2, 2026 at 5:39 PM
African Ophioninae wasps give me grief in more or less the same region. Is the comb-like row of hairs there part of the MACROTRICHIAL COMB or a FLANGE BEHIND THE MACROTRICHIAL COMB.
(To this day, I've not seen *any difference*, and I'm one of the experts on these.)
(To this day, I've not seen *any difference*, and I'm one of the experts on these.)
Now working on Ugandan Ophioninae wasp ZMUT.17036. Again.
I've already transferred her from genus Enicospilus to Dicamptus. Now looks like back to Enicospilus again.
I've already transferred her from genus Enicospilus to Dicamptus. Now looks like back to Enicospilus again.
August 29, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Now working on Ugandan Ophioninae wasp ZMUT.17036. Again.
I've already transferred her from genus Enicospilus to Dicamptus. Now looks like back to Enicospilus again.
I've already transferred her from genus Enicospilus to Dicamptus. Now looks like back to Enicospilus again.
Just got some *very preliminary* DNA results for Ugandan Ophioninae wasps. Looks exciting! 🧪
Right now I'm just messing about with the data. But it already looks like what I've identified as "E. senescens" may need splitting into several species.
Right now I'm just messing about with the data. But it already looks like what I've identified as "E. senescens" may need splitting into several species.
February 14, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Just got some *very preliminary* DNA results for Ugandan Ophioninae wasps. Looks exciting! 🧪
Right now I'm just messing about with the data. But it already looks like what I've identified as "E. senescens" may need splitting into several species.
Right now I'm just messing about with the data. But it already looks like what I've identified as "E. senescens" may need splitting into several species.
There are 28 known specimens of Laticoleus unicolor wasps from mainland Africa.
I think I'm going to be able to double that. Except I'm probably going to split the species.
Amazing how little is known about African wasps.
I think I'm going to be able to double that. Except I'm probably going to split the species.
Amazing how little is known about African wasps.
February 13, 2026 at 7:24 AM
There are 28 known specimens of Laticoleus unicolor wasps from mainland Africa.
I think I'm going to be able to double that. Except I'm probably going to split the species.
Amazing how little is known about African wasps.
I think I'm going to be able to double that. Except I'm probably going to split the species.
Amazing how little is known about African wasps.
No nyt tuli vastaan kiinnostava pistiäinen! En tiedä edes mihin sukuun laittaa.
I've found a Ugandan Laticoleus wasp with a ramellus in the wing. So it's not Laticoleus.. Afrophion?!.. no, I can't even place to genus.
Vet vad jag DNA-streckkodar nästa. T.o.m. släktet oklar! 🧪
I've found a Ugandan Laticoleus wasp with a ramellus in the wing. So it's not Laticoleus.. Afrophion?!.. no, I can't even place to genus.
Vet vad jag DNA-streckkodar nästa. T.o.m. släktet oklar! 🧪
March 28, 2025 at 7:25 PM
No nyt tuli vastaan kiinnostava pistiäinen! En tiedä edes mihin sukuun laittaa.
I've found a Ugandan Laticoleus wasp with a ramellus in the wing. So it's not Laticoleus.. Afrophion?!.. no, I can't even place to genus.
Vet vad jag DNA-streckkodar nästa. T.o.m. släktet oklar! 🧪
I've found a Ugandan Laticoleus wasp with a ramellus in the wing. So it's not Laticoleus.. Afrophion?!.. no, I can't even place to genus.
Vet vad jag DNA-streckkodar nästa. T.o.m. släktet oklar! 🧪
Based on DNA, it looks like the shape of these weird yellow wing plates in my Ugandan Ophioninae wasps is even more species-specific than thought.
So now I'm trying to figure out codings for them. Central sclerite "kinda like a potato" is how far I've got. 🧪
So now I'm trying to figure out codings for them. Central sclerite "kinda like a potato" is how far I've got. 🧪
April 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Based on DNA, it looks like the shape of these weird yellow wing plates in my Ugandan Ophioninae wasps is even more species-specific than thought.
So now I'm trying to figure out codings for them. Central sclerite "kinda like a potato" is how far I've got. 🧪
So now I'm trying to figure out codings for them. Central sclerite "kinda like a potato" is how far I've got. 🧪
Short-tailed ichneumon wasp. #Short-TailedIchneumonWasp #Ophioninae #IchneumonWasp #Insect #Animal #Nature #Photography #Monona #Wisconsin
August 27, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Short-tailed ichneumon wasp. #Short-TailedIchneumonWasp #Ophioninae #IchneumonWasp #Insect #Animal #Nature #Photography #Monona #Wisconsin
nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophioni... (volgens Obsidentify)
Ophioninae - Wikipedia
nl.wikipedia.org
July 2, 2025 at 9:37 PM
nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophioni... (volgens Obsidentify)
Just realised I'm now one of the few people on Earth who can glance at a test tube, look at the Ugandan wasp inside, and think "Oh must be the trap by the tea plantation again".
I think these are Enicospilus equatus #invertebrate 🧪
I think these are Enicospilus equatus #invertebrate 🧪
April 4, 2024 at 6:08 PM
Just realised I'm now one of the few people on Earth who can glance at a test tube, look at the Ugandan wasp inside, and think "Oh must be the trap by the tea plantation again".
I think these are Enicospilus equatus #invertebrate 🧪
I think these are Enicospilus equatus #invertebrate 🧪
I decided years ago that careful preparation of wasps is for those who only have 10000s of them.
I now need to look at the amount of hair in the hind wing.
I now need to look at the amount of hair in the hind wing.
February 17, 2026 at 10:27 AM
I decided years ago that careful preparation of wasps is for those who only have 10000s of them.
I now need to look at the amount of hair in the hind wing.
I now need to look at the amount of hair in the hind wing.
Nice representative photo of what I'm up to 🧪 See if you can find a Ugandan:
Epirhyssa quagga
Ophioninae
Pimplinae
Microgastrinae
Banchinae (probably)
🧵
Epirhyssa quagga
Ophioninae
Pimplinae
Microgastrinae
Banchinae (probably)
🧵
January 25, 2024 at 11:47 AM
Nice representative photo of what I'm up to 🧪 See if you can find a Ugandan:
Epirhyssa quagga
Ophioninae
Pimplinae
Microgastrinae
Banchinae (probably)
🧵
Epirhyssa quagga
Ophioninae
Pimplinae
Microgastrinae
Banchinae (probably)
🧵
Referring to these, which have apparently been around since the 1980s without crumbling to pieces.
(Crane flies are worse than Ophioninae antennae: just look at them and the reduced radiation pressure from the photons your eyes absorbed will snap the hind legs off.)
(Crane flies are worse than Ophioninae antennae: just look at them and the reduced radiation pressure from the photons your eyes absorbed will snap the hind legs off.)
(reminder that our beloved erstwhile curator Chen Young was the best to ever do it)
August 21, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Referring to these, which have apparently been around since the 1980s without crumbling to pieces.
(Crane flies are worse than Ophioninae antennae: just look at them and the reduced radiation pressure from the photons your eyes absorbed will snap the hind legs off.)
(Crane flies are worse than Ophioninae antennae: just look at them and the reduced radiation pressure from the photons your eyes absorbed will snap the hind legs off.)
Finally trying to get something done today. (*Still* ill 🤧, so everything goes slowly)
Ugandan Ophioninae wasps to be pinned and labelled. 🧪
Ugandan Ophioninae wasps to be pinned and labelled. 🧪
February 7, 2024 at 10:47 AM
Finally trying to get something done today. (*Still* ill 🤧, so everything goes slowly)
Ugandan Ophioninae wasps to be pinned and labelled. 🧪
Ugandan Ophioninae wasps to be pinned and labelled. 🧪
The Ophioninae is Ophion scutellaris
April 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The Ophioninae is Ophion scutellaris