Gasteruption anybody?

[Rambling Rob]

Hello Wasp friends,

From perusal of the web, I think this is a parasitic wasp, possibly Gasteruption jaculator, and a male because no ovipositor is apparent.

Can anyone who knows these wasps confirm or correct that, please? Are they common? I have never seen one before but, then again, they are quite small.

A strange looking insect with the abdomen going vertically like that, and some very shapely hind legs.

Spotted this afternoon feeding on Fennel at Blackgang Chine, IoW.

Thanks, Rob

side view...


rear view...


front view...

[Dogghound]

Yes its Gasteruption . Most likely G.jaculator. Parasitic species are not often really common. This species is widespread and fairly common.

[Rambling Rob]

Thank you Dogghound, much appreciated. I will be looking out for them from now on, and hope to find the more impressive female, Rob

[Dogghound]

Flowers such as members of the Apiaceae are particularly good for them. Other than that look for warm walls, tree trunks, banks etc with solitary wasp and bee species around. G.junculator uses Colletidae, Megachilidae, Sphecidae and Vespidae as hosts.

[JRsbugs]

I see the female ever year hunting on the south and east wall, this year there was two at the same time! One had some white on the lower leg but I don't think there's another with that long ovipositor sheath. Got some pics of course!

Janet

[Rambling Rob]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Yes its Gasteruption . Most likely G.jaculator. Parasitic species are not often really common. This species is widespread and fairly common.

A visitor to my blog posted a link to the National Biodiversity Network where the distribution map for this wasp shows no records at all for the IoW, Sussex or Dorset, a handful of records for Hampshire, and only a scattering of records nationally.

The furthest north they hold records for looks to be Stafford and Norfolk.


Rob

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Rambling Rob

A visitor to my blog posted a link to the National Biodiversity Network where the distribution map for this wasp shows no records at all for the IoW, Sussex or Dorset, a handful of records for Hampshire, and only a scattering of records nationally.

The furthest north they hold records for looks to be Stafford and Norfolk.


Rob

That depends on whether they have been recorded, I have a lot of insects which are here and not showing on the NBN. But I am finding insects here also that should not be here, as recently I found a tiny leaf miner moth which is the first record for Lincolnshire along with a few other rarities.

Perhaps you could find out who is the local recorder for Hymenoptera and submit your record, they would be able to tell you more.

[Rambling Rob]

Good points, Janet.

Rob