Philoctetes bidentulus - Germany

[Paul]

Hi folks,
a few hours ago I was out looking for cuckoo-wasps.
I saw a little specimen (4-5mm)that was sitting calm on a leave. Unfortunately from the viev I had
it didnt show it's back. I tried to change my position and... off it went...
At home I noticed the punctation on the head and compared it with some species in my virtual collection (O. puncticollis, Pseudomalus violaceus) and ... was very confused. It looked a little bit like Philoctetes which is very rare in our region.
Can you help me ore give me any idea?
All the best Paul

[Euchroeus]

Hi Paul,

it's a Philoctetes
just see the distribution of the punctures on mesoscutum: the are clumped along notauli.
In Pseudomalus you have large punctures at the base of mesoscutum between notauli. And larger punctures.

Why do not collect them before, put in the refrigerator and later take the pictures?
In this way you have the specimen for correct ID

Ciao!

[Paul]

Hi Paolo,
first of all: many thanks and (of course): jipphee...
Meanwhile I had also compared the veins of the wings and was full of hope...
As far as I know only P. truncatus lives in our region. Or are there other species around?
Pics: for me it is a meditation, a good alternative to the things I'm involved in "normal life": looking for cuckoowasps in the outback. I know many of the results that were made using a refrigerator. My kick is trying to get similar (or better) ones at the original locations.
Of course, it's sometimes not easy but I can tell you: they are still waiting, the "magic moments".Suddenly you see an animal that normally disappears very quick and... it's still waiting till you've done everything you wanted to do.
And: to get reasonable results for me it's necessary to study the behaviour of these fantastic animals. Some are very clever and sometimes I have a lot of fun with them. They're like children to me. Learning when they come out in the morning or when they go to bed brought me the chances getting the pics I'm looking for. It's still amazing and although not every meeting brings the result I've probably expected, it inspires me going out and try to make it better next time.
Nearly all species that I probably will meet on my trips are very well documentated by science and also by pics made under microscope etc. So I hope it's an addition to show Pics made in "original places".

All the best Paul

[Euchroeus]

Thanks Paul for your "magic" words.
They give a sense to this forum and our hobby


In your area there should be Philoctetes bidentulus.
In fact, in the first picture the colour of the abdomen seems red,
but it could be a colour effect produced by the wings...

Ciao and again

[Paul]

Hi Paolo,

and I thank you!
Yes, it's Philoctetes bidentulus, I didn't have this species on the screen
cause somewhere in my brain it was labeled Omalus...

All the best Paul