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I took the pictures today in Cusco Peru. It is the third insect of its class in a month. I never see it before. I thought that it is a wasp, but I think it's really thin to be a wasp. It's about 4 or 5cm.

I want to know what kind of insect is and if it's dangerous. Thanks!

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    $\begingroup$ Very good picture for identification, even I am not the one who can answer here. $\endgroup$
    – рüффп
    Jun 13, 2015 at 21:51
  • $\begingroup$ Yeap! Very good quality of photos. $\endgroup$
    – trejder
    Sep 2, 2015 at 6:01
  • $\begingroup$ nhm.ac.uk/resources-rx/files/… $\endgroup$
    – Devashish Das
    Sep 3, 2015 at 5:54

1 Answer 1

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So that looks to me like the Ophioninae family of wasps, genus Ophion. I'll query the list of known species to try to find a more direct match. enter image description here

Some evidence exists which notes Ophion may sting when threatened, but at the same time (and I don't have the reference ready) it's believed that the sting contains no toxin.

As for a positive identification, it's difficult without examining the the features of the wasp extremely close up. Identification keys exist here.

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  • $\begingroup$ It seems, that I haven't found more direct match, as you promised in your answer. Nor, you haven't answered OP, whether it can be dangerous. An edit would be nice, to clear these things (i.e. remove promise for searching for more details). Thanks! $\endgroup$
    – trejder
    Sep 2, 2015 at 6:00

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