Id for wasp type insect

[Suzanne B]

We saw this yesterday evening on a crab apple leaf. Not sure if it was going to sleep or dead.
Anyway can anyone help with an id please.




Thanks

[Ferret]

Hi Suzanne, I think it is a Fly as i can only see one pair of wings, Bee's & Wasp's have two pairs, and you can just see the halters that define all Diptera, it looks like it has been attacked by one of the entomopathogenic fungus that attack insects and change their behavior causing them to seek out a exposed high point where they then die and the fungus then produces its spores and releases them into the breeze, you can find out more here, Entomopathogenic fungus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and lots of fascinating clips here, insect attacking fungus - YouTube and here, Cordyceps: attack of the killer fungi - Planet Earth Attenborough BBC wildlife - YouTube

Ferret

[Suzanne B]

Hi Ferret and thanks for your help.
I've just had a look at the links and I can honestly say that is one of the strangest things I have seen. I didn't even know that sort of fungus existed, very interesting especially when you see it close up but most unfortunate for the victim.

(I so wish I hadn't put wasp in the title though , at least I'll know for the future now. )

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Ferret

Hi Suzanne, I think it is a Fly as i can only see one pair of wings, Bee's & Wasp's have two pairs, and you can just see the halters that define all Diptera, it looks like it has been attacked by one of the entomopathogenic fungus that attack insects and change their behavior causing them to seek out a exposed high point where they then die and the fungus then produces its spores and releases them into the breeze, you can find out more here, Entomopathogenic fungus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and lots of fascinating clips here, insect attacking fungus - YouTube and here, Cordyceps: attack of the killer fungi - Planet Earth Attenborough BBC wildlife - YouTube

Ferret

Great stuff there Ferret!
I being a bit of a fungi fan have come across Cordyceps myself but I never knew about, or have seen some of the examples shown in the you tube video. Some look very different to the Cordyceps militaris I have found which have used caterpillars and even a hornet as a host.

Thanks again from me .

Here is the infected hornet, I was lucky to find the host when I dug around for it, sometimes there is nothing left.



Here is another Cordyceps militaris

[basquesteve]

Another example whats horrifying the fungus takes over the brain and makes them climb before dying last year I saw over 50 in one day none as yet this year

http://


http://