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Key to northern European Ichneumonidae
Ichneumonidae
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Steps
Steps
Taxa:
Color
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Body predominantly testaceous. Usually nocturnal wasps.
Body not predominantly testaceous.
Wings
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Wings fully developed. Discosubmarginal cell without sclerotized spot.
Wings fully developed. Discosubmarginal cell with a sclerotized spot.
Wings present but reduced, non-functional.
Wings completely absent.
1st tergite
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1st tergite with the spiracles located beyond the midpoint, usually in the posterior third. Glymmae usually absent or weak. 1st sternite usually extending far beyond the 1st tergite's midpoint. 1st tergite nearly always distinctly expanded posteriorly in dorsal view. Common.
1st tergite with the spiracles located at or before the midpoint. If the spiracles are a little beyond the midpoint then the glymmae are distinct. Hind margin of the 1st sternite does not reach far past the spiracle. 1st tergite usually expanded posteriorly in dorsal view. Common.
1st tergite with the spiracles situated at or before the midpoint. The hind margin of 1st sternite extends at least half its length past the spiracle. Glymmae absent. 1st tergite roughly parallel-sided in dorsal view, narrow and cylindrical. Uncommon.
Areolet
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Areolet closed and distinctly pentagonal. Vein 2rs-m of normal thickness.
Areolet closed but not pentagonal. Vein 2rs-m of normal thickness, rarely postfurcal to vein 2m-cu.
Areolet open on the outside, vein 3rs-m absent. Vein 2rs-m of normal thickness.
Areolet open on the inside, vein 2rs-m absent.
Areolet open. Vein 2rs-m and first abscissa of M very short and more or less thickened.
Vein RS and M fused, areolet absent.
2m-cu
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Vein 2m-cu of the fore wing with one bulla.
2m-cu with two bullae (a) or rarely with a single long bulla in which case 2m-cu is distinctly angled in the middle (b).
Vein 2m-cu completely absent.
Nervellus
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Nervellus intercepted distinctly above the middle.
Nervellus either not intercepted or intercepted at or below the middle.
Antennae
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Antennae with some central flagellomeres at least partially white or ivory in contrast to the much darker surrounding flagellomeres. Antennae otherwise unmodified.
Antennae short, with 13 or fewer flagellomeres.
Female: antennae with first flagellomere very long and slender, 7-10 times longer than wide (a). Male: flagellomeres 3 and 4 with tyloids in the form of deep semi-circular indentations (b).
Female: some flagellomeres in apical half with distinct flag-setae (a) or pegs (b).
Central flagellomeres very strongly flattened and expanded.
Antennae unmodified, without central white flagellomeres, with 14 or more flagellomeres and without flag-setae or pegs.
Face
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Face with a large flat or concave shield-shaped area bounded by a ridge.
Clypeal sulcus absent so that the face and clypeus form a continuous and uninterrupted surface. Face without shield-shaped area.
Clypeal sulcus present or clypeus and face at least partially differentiated. Face without shield-shaped area.
Clypeus
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Clypeus produced into a strong median point.
Clypeus with one or several distinct denticles on the otherwise rounded truncate and not strongly bilobed lower margin.
Clypeus strongly bilobed, middle part deeply impressed, rarely with a small median denticle.
Clypeus simple, at most weakly bilobed and without denticles.
Clypeal setae
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Clypeus with a row of regular strong setae along lower margin.
Clypeus without a row of regular strong setae along lower margin.
Mandibles
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Mandibles exodont (not or barely overlapping when closed) and strongly carinate dorsally and ventrally.
Mandibles with one tooth or chisel-shaped, not exodont.
Mandibles with two teeth, not exodont.
Mandibles with the upper tooth divided, therefore appearing to have three teeth. Not exodont.
Gena / Temples
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Dorsal part of temples with strong scale-like ridges.
Malar space with a distinct subocular sulcus.
Temples without scale-like ridges and subocular sulcus.
Ovipositor
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Ovipositor sheaths longer than metasoma.
Ovipositor sheaths at most as long as hind tibia but always longer than high, stiff, shiny and pointed straight backwards. Ovipositor needle-like.
With one or several eggs hanging from ovipositor.
Ovipositor sheaths shorter than metasoma, flexible or not shiny and without external eggs.
Ovipositor apex
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Dorsal valve of ovipositor with a subapical dorsal notch. Both dorsal and ventral valves without teeth.
Dorsal valve of ovipositor without subapical dorsal notch.
Sternalus
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Sternalus extending across at least half the mesopleuron.
Sternalus either absent or short and weak.
Mesoscutum
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Mesoscutum covered by distinct transverse carinae.
Mesoscutum with a transverse suture immediately anterior of the scuto-scutellar groove which often has a median longitudinal carina.
Mesoscutum without distinct transverse carina and suture anterior of the scuto-scutellar groove.
Epicnemial carina
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Epicnemial carina at least partially present dorsally or ventrally, usually complete.
Epicnemial carina absent.
Fore tibia
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Fore tibia with an apical dorsal tooth (difficult to spot in very small specimens).
Fore tibia without apical dorsal tooth.
Spurs
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All tibiae with 2 spurs. Spurs of middle and hind tibiae inserted in separate sockets, separated by a central sclerotized bridge.
Either middle or hind tibiae with 1 or no spurs.
All tibiae with 2 spurs inserted in the same socket.
Mesosoma
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Mesosoma very stout, at most slightly longer than high and almost circular.
Mesosoma less stout, longer than high.
Propodeum
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Propodeum without regular areas defined by carinae, instead covered in reticulate macrosculpture.
Propodeum without regular areas defined by carinae but with the posterior transverse carina complete.
Propodeum with no complete carinae.
Propodeum with only longitudinal carinae.
Propodeum with either some defined areas or with a combination of longitudinal and transverse carinae.
Glymmae
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Tergite 1 with very deep glymmae that end in a translucent membrane in the middle where they connect.
Tergite 1 either without glymmae or with much shallower glymmae that don't end in a translucent membrane.
Scutellum
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Scutellum with a distinct apical tooth.
Scutellum without apical tooth.
Tergites
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Tergites 2-4 with central rhombic areas defined by grooves.
Tergites 2-4 with triangular areas defined by grooves anteriorly and posteriorly.
Tergites 2-4 with triangular areas defined by grooves anteriorly but not posteriorly.
Tergites without rhombic or triangular areas.
Occipital carina
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Occipital carina interrupted medially or absent.
Occipital carina complete.
Eyes
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Eyes strongly converging ventrally.
Eyes strongly emarginate at the level of the antennae.
Eyes densely hairy.
Eyes not strongly converging ventrally, emarginate or hairy.
Pronotum
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Pronotum dorsally with a forwards-projecting bilobed flange.
Pronotum without bilobed flange.
Clypeus width
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Clypeus hardly wider than high.
Clypeus clearly wider than high.
Hind tibia
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Hind tibia with apical inner fringe of closely spaced setae.
Hind tibia without apical inner fringe of closely spaced setae.
Fore tarsus
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Fore tarsus with segments 2-4 short, obviously foreshortened when compared to segment 5.
Fore tarsus with segments 2-4 not obviously foreshortened.
Labrum
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Labrum large and exposed.
Labrum small, often hidden.
Claws
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Tarsal claws with a distinct basal lobe.
Tarsal claws pectinate.
Tarsal claws neither with basal lobes or pectinate, at most with a single central or apical tooth.
Palps
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Maxillary palps very elongate, clearly capable of reaching past the anterior coxae.
Maxillary palps not as elongate, rarely capable of reaching anterior coxae.
Areolet interception
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Areolet intercepted by vein 2m-cu distinctly distally.
Areolet intercepted by vein 2m-cu proximally or around the midpoint.
M+CU
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Vein M+CU of hind wing spectral or absent proximally and strongly curved.
Vein M+CU of hind wing usually fully sclerotized and often weakly curved or straight.
Laterotergite 3
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Laterotergite of tergite 3 not separated by a sharp crease.
Laterotergite of tergite 3 separated by a sharp crease at least anteriorly.
Posterior transverse carina
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Posterior transverse carina distinctly V-shaped.
Posterior transverse carina not V-shaped.
Campopleginae / Phygadeuontiane
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Sternalus absent or very weak. Eyes nearly always greenish in live specimens. Generally more slender wasps. Tergite 1 often with distinct glymmae. Antennae almost always without central whitish flagellomeres.
Sternalus nearly always distinct anteriorly. Eyes of live specimens never greenish. Generally more robust wasps. Tergite 1 without glymmae. Antennae often with central whitish flagellomeres.
Ichneumoninae / Phygadeuontinae
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Clypeus wide and flat, truncate apically, often shiny and punctate. Ovipositor sheaths stiff and straight, often very short. Gastrocoeli of tergite 2 often strongly sculptured. Anterior thyridia of tergite 2 often very deeply depressed.
Clypeus convex with a impressed apical rim, usually almost impunctate. Ovipositor sheaths relatively thin and flexible. Gastrocoeli of tergite 2 unsculptured. Anterior thyridia of tergite 2 weak.
Cryptinae / Phygadeudontinae
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Sternalus usually reaching or extending towards the posteroventral corner of the mesopleuron. Size variable, some species quite big.
Sternalus reaching or extending towards the posterior edge of the mesopleuron clearly above the posteroventral corner. Usually small species.
Allomacrus / Orthocentrinae
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Clypeus wide and flat. Propodeum and tergites 1-2 with distinct coriaceous microsculpture.
Clypeus often narrow and strongly convex, if not then propodeum and tergites 1-2 without coriaceous microsculpture.
Silbops / Pimplinae
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Malar space long and clypeus relatively narrow. Apex of ovipositor without teeth. Apical flagellomere in females distinctly broader and longer than previous flagellomeres.
Malar usually shorter and clypeus often broader. Apex of ovipositor often with teeth. Apical flagellomere in females not distinctly broader and longer than previous flagellomeres.
Acaenitinae / Pimplinae
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Males: Tarsal claws often with a subapical tooth. If areolet closed then distinctly petiolate. Tergites more or less evenly sculptured.
Males: Tarsal claws without subapical tooth. If areolet closed then not distinctly petiolate. Tergites nearly always coarsely sculptured anteriorly and with a shiny posterior band.
Remaining taxa:
Acaenitinae
Adelognathinae
Agriotypinae
Alomyinae
Anomaloninae (part)
Anomaloninae (Anomalon)
Ateleutinae
Banchinae (Atrophini)
Banchinae (Banchini)
Banchinae (Glyptini)
Brachycyrtinae
Campopleginae
Collyriinae
Cremastinae
Cryptinae (part)
Cryptinae (Echthrus)
Cryptinae (Hemiphanes, Sphecophaga)
Cryptinae (Helcostizus)
Cryptinae (some)
Ctenopelmatinae (part)
Ctenopelmatinae (some)
Ctenopelmatinae (Lophyroplectus)
Ctenopelmatinae (Olethrodotis)
Cylloceriinae (Allomacrus)
Cylloceriinae (Cylloceria)
Cylloceriinae (Hyperacmus)
Diacritinae
Diplazontinae
Eucerotinae
Hybrizontinae
Ichneumoninae (part)
Ichneumoninae (some)
Ichneumoninae (Ichneumon, part)
Lycorininae
Mesochorinae (part)
Mesochorinae (Mesochorus)
Metopiinae (part)
Metopiinae (Ischyrocnemis)
Metopiinae (Metopius)
Metopiinae (Periope)
Microleptinae
Ophioninae (part)
Ophioninae (some)
Ophioninae (Enicospilus)
Orthocentrinae (part)
Orthocentrinae (Catastenus, Symplecis)
Orthocentrinae (Stenomacrus, part)
Orthopelmatinae
Oxytorinae
Phygadeuontinae (part)
Phygadeuontinae (some)
Pimplinae (part)
Pimplinae (Dolichomitus sericeus)
Pimplinae (Pseudorhyssa)
Pimplinae (Schizopyga)
Pimplinae (a few)
Poemeniinae (part)
Poemeniinae (some)
Rhyssinae
Stilbopinae (Panteles)
Stilbopinae (Stilbops)
Tersilochinae (part)
Tersilochinae (Astrenis, Phrudus)
Tersilochinae (Neorhacodes)
Tersilochinae (Pygmaeolus)
Tryphoninae (part)
Tryphoninae (some)
Tryphoninae (Eclytus)
Tryphoninae (Idiogramma)
Tryphoninae (Netelia)
Tryphoninae (Sphinctus)
Xoridinae
Discarded taxa:
Info
This key aims to cover all northern European subfamilies of Ichneumonids. It is primarily based on the incredible work of Gavin R. Broad, Mark R. Shaw and Michael G. Fitton (2018), but much data has been collected from other sources or personal observations to allow this format.
Due to the immense diversity within this family there are undoubtedly cases where atypical genera or species don’t key out correctly. Since this key is in relatively early stages of development, please double-check your identifications with other sources.
If you notice something that has to be changed or find any errors, please contact me.
References
Broad, G.R., Shaw, M.R. & Fitton, M.G. (2018). Ichneumonid wasps: (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae): Their classification and biology. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Vol. 7, Part 12. Royal Entomological Society.
Finlands Artdatacenter (2025). Ichneumonidae. LAJI.FI. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
https://laji.fi/sv/taxon/MX.289207
Medvedev, G.S. (ed.) (1986). Opredelitel nasekomykh evropeiskoi chasti SSSR. T. 3. Pereponchatokrylye. Ch. 3. Akademiia Nauk SSSR Zoologicheskii Institut. Nauka, Leningrad.
Pénigot, W. (2021). Liste et clé d'identification pour les Anomaloninae de la faune de France, avec la description d'une espèce nouvelle du genre Therion (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae). Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France 126(3): 253–328.
Rossem, G.V. (1980). A revision of some Western Palaearctic Oxytorine genera (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae). Spixiana Supplement 4: 77–135.
SLU Artdatabanken (2025). Ichneumonidae. Artfakta. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
https://artfakta.se/taxa/2001162
Townes, H.K. (1970). The genera of Ichneumonidae, Part 2. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. No.12.(1969) 537 pp.
Townes, H.K. (1970). The genera of Ichneumonidae, Part 3. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 13: 1–307.
Townes, H.K. (1971). The genera of Ichneumonidae, Part 4. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 17: 1–372.
Wharton, B. (2024). PEET Ctenopelmatinae. The Wharton Lab.
http://mx.speciesfile.org/projects/8/public/otu_group/show/194
Key to northern European Ichneumonidae
Ichneumonidae
