Subfamily Metopiinae - Ichneumon Wasps

Order Hymenoptera, Family Ichneumonidae

This page contains pictures and information about Ichneumon Wasps in family Metopiinae that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.

Ichneumon Wasps in this subfamily are endoparasites of larvae of Lepidoptera. Some are brightly coloured. Some of them are apparently mimic Eumeninae Wasps.


Body length 15mm

The Tiger Ichneumon Wasp is brightly yellow in colour and black banded. The Forewing with 3r-m present enclosing a broad rhombic areolet. The Pterostigma is yellow on infumate wings and dark veins.



On Face there is the large shield-shaped area bounded by a carina. Mid tibia has one apical spur.



In Anstead Forest on Sep 2012, we found at least three Tiger Ichneumon Wasp males flying around amount dense short plants. All of them were very interested at the same few spots on the same plant.



This species is apparently mimicking the Eumeninae Wasps.

Reference:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p945.
2. An introduction to the Ichneumonidae of Australia - Gauld, I.D. 1984, British Museum.
3. Insects of Australia and New Zealand - R. J. Tillyard, Angus & Robertson, Ltd, Sydney, 1926, p269, pl.20.3.