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These pictures where taken on May 28th, in the neighborhood of Enschede, the Netherlands. The insect measures about 18 mm from head to wing tip. So far we haven't been able to identify it. Could you help to identify it, please? Thanks!

Regards,

Wim

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This is one of those insects that makes me question whether we should limit the number of non-Diptera threads!
I'll suggest Pamphiliidae, but no idea which genus, never mind species.

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Please, forgive me for barging into this forum with this non-Diptera, but I wouldn't know where else to go.

Anyway, I was thinking of Pamphiliidae, too. But that's as far as I get...

Anyone?

Wim

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No need to apologise, Wim - this is an amazing insect that everyone (even Dipterists ) should be delighted to see - many thanks for showing it to us!

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Thanks Tony!

I do hope that someone can tell me a bit more about this --to me-- very unDutch creature!

Regards,

Wim

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Very un-Dutch indeed,

Maybe you should try here for some information :
http://www.entomologie.de/forum/
A sawfly-expert is participating there usually.

Ben

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This extrodinary creature surely belongs in Pamphiliidae but i think not Pamphilius. I rarely encounter members of this family and have certainly never seen anything like this and as far as i can make out from the keys there is nohing like it in GB. Where did you find it? in a natural setting or in an urban/suburban site, anywhere near a plant nursary or dock? looks rather tropical so i wonder if it might be an import. if in natural setting what habitat?

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@Ben, thanks for the tip! I'll have a look at the German site.

@David,

This insect was found in herbs along a small road on a walk through what could best be described as a rural, small-scale patchwork landscape with agriculture, meadows and forests of an old estate. Location approx. North 52d16'45'', East 6d41'42''.

If it's tropical, I have no idea how it got into the Netherlands...

Wim

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Probable Pamphiliidae Cephalciinae

http://www.apus.ru/site.xp/057054052124050056054055124.htm

Coenolyda (Acantholyda) reticulata suggered N. MAGIS (BELGIUM)

2 ex in Belgium collection in Gembloux

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I think that Cthirion's suggestion of Caenolyda reticulata is likely to be correct, though the picture on the Russian site hardly does it justice.
There is a relatively new book that includes the Pamphiliidae:
Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta), Volume 1. A Review of the Suborder, the Western Palaearctic Taxa of Xyeloidea and Pamphilioidea. Edited by Matti Viitasaari 1999 Tremex Press.
This almost certainly has the answer, but unfortunately I can't afford to buy it!

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The name Caenolyda reticulata brings me one step further. Although my Russian is not so good, via faunaeur.org it did give me the name of the expert on this group of sawflies. I've sent the pictures to him and all we can do now is wait...

cthirion & Tony, thanks for your help! I'll keep you posted.

Regards,

Wim

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wow! What an amazing Symphyta wasp! It looks like some hemipteran bug, indeed! Great find.

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I pass on this from Andrew Liston

Nice photos! There is no problem identifying it as Caenolyda reticulata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pamphiliidae, Cephalciinae). It is one of those Symphytans which nearly always seems to be "rare", with low population levels- a "once in a lifetime" capture for most people (only once ever found it myself). My German colleagues gave it a nickname- "the flying strawberry". Known hostplant records all refer to Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine). As far as I am aware, this is the first record from the Netherlands (so it might be worthwhile publishing a short note on), although it is widely distributed in C., E. and N. Europe (including eg. Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, but excluding British Isles). Please pass on this info. to anyone who might be interested.

Regards

Andrew

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For your information, Prof. van Achterberg of Naturalis Nederland has now confirmed that this is the first record of Caenolyda reticulata in the Netherlands.

I'd like to thank you all for your help. Should you be interested in using the images, or in case you have additional information on this incredible insect, please don't hesitate to contact me!

In due time we will try to publish a note in an entomology newsletter.

Regards,

Wim Bakker