Ophion/Netelia Ichneumon Wasps Ophion/Netelia species

Ophion ichneumon wasp
Ophion ichneumon wasp
Ophion ichneumon wasp
Ophion and the similar-looking Netelia species of wasps are Ichneumons. They are mainly about at night, are attracted to light like moths and they lay their eggs in caterpillars of Noctuid moths.
The Ophion females (eg. O. luteus, scutellaris, obscuratus) do not have the long ovipositors of many Ichneumons but some Netelia females do have a short ovipositor to paralyze the host prey.
Ophion ichneumon wasp
Ophion ichneumon wasp
Ophion/Netelia ichneumon wasp
Both Ophion and Netelia species are predominantly orange - from light yellowy orange to dark brownish orange - but it takes an expert to identify even which genera, let alone the exact species.
I am not an expert, so I just put the photos up.
Ophion,Netelia ichneumon wasp
Ophion/Netelia ichneumon wasp