Black insect with white spot on thorax? (1 Viewer)

[MacGee]

I saw an insect on the road at Cambus today. It was about 30mm long, very slender, black with a white spot on its thorax. Its legs were white with black spots in places. Sorry there's no picture—I forgot my camera. Can anyone help with an ID?

Michael.

 

[Brian Stone]

Any more details? Was it a fly-type thingy, beetly, waspy, did it have wings?

 

[young ian]

Hello Michael.
Most likely an Ichneumon Fly (Amblyteles subsericans),
a female.

Kind regards,
young Ian

 

[MacGee]

...did it have wings?

Hello, Brian. Yes, it did.

Michael.

 

[MacGee]

Hello Michael.
Most likely an Ichneumon Fly (Amblyteles subsericans),
a female.

Thanks, Ian. I've searched online for a photo of Amblyteles subsericans, without success. Do you know where one can be found?

Michael.

 

[young ian]

Michael.
My ref:- Wayside and Woodland Series

Bees, Wasps, Ants & Allied Insects

Ian

 

[harry eales]

Hello Michael.
Most likely an Ichneumon Fly (Amblyteles subsericans),
a female.

Kind regards,
young Ian

It should be pointd out that there are a number of Ichneumon Flies that have a white spot on the thorax. To be absolutely sure of the ID you would need a textbook that deals with all the Ichneumon species.

There are several volumes on the Ichneumons in the Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects.

Harry