Beginner’s guide to identifying British ichneumonids

Ichneumonids, species of the family Ichneumonidae, are difficult to identify because so many look similar. Identifications are usually made using tiny features only visible under a microscope, which makes the challenge even harder. This guide attempts to allow beginners to name 22 of the most identifiable or most frequently encountered species from eight of the 32 subfamilies in Britain. It is not a comprehensive guide but intended as an introduction, using characters that are often visible in photos or in the field.
Author(s): 
Nicola Prehn and Chris Raper
Free: 
Yes
Available as: 
Online
PDF
Keywords: 
Inchneumon Inchneumonidae