Ichneumonoidea Hub
From time to time we raise a parasitic wasp from a host and so seek to make an ID. Callibracon-like wasps of the Braconinae have been teasing me for a season or two. And there was the ‘Wonboyn Wasp’, of course!
So this huge superfamily is one we’ll no doubt come back to, bit by bit in years to come.
This page serves as a collation of our various notes, resources, references and blog posts relating to flower wasps.
Like all our workbook pages, these notes are a work in progress. Although developed simply for our own use, incomplete and no doubt imperfect, we’re happy to share these resources with interested fellow naturalists.
Particularly valuable resources
An excellent introduction to the structure and terminology associated with hymenoptera in general, including an illustrated glossary.
Freely available from a variety of sources including https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.19950420212
A go-to reference for anyone working on Australian Ichneumonidae. The key to subfamilies is particularly useful, but the paper also covers the 215 Australian genera recognised at the time.
Available for instant download from Zenoda.
Key to subfamilies of Australian Braconidae, by van Achterberg (in Naumann, 1991). Best used in conjuction with descriptions and diagrams in: van Achterberg, C. 1993. Illustrated key to the subfamilies of the Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea). Zoologische Verhandeligen, 283: 1-189
1. Morphology & terminology
2. Workbook notes
Links to ichneumonid workbook pages. These are typically a record of the steps and evidence behind an identification we have made. They often include numerous images of collected specimens, with reference to keys and species descriptions.
3. Biology, ecology & discovery blogs
Links to ichneumid-related blog posts from the main part of our website.
Gauld, I.D. 1984. An Introduction to the Ichneumonidae of Australia: with a contribution on Metopiinae by M.G. Fitton. British Museum (Natural History). London. Available for instant download from Zenoda.
Goulet, H. & Huber, J. T. (eds.) 1993. Hymenoptera of the world: an identification guide to families. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada Publication 1894/E. freely available from a variety of sources including https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.19950420212
van Achterberg, C. 1993. Illustrated key to the subfamilies of the Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea). Zoologische Verhandeligen, 283: 1-189 link via Research Gate