Iridiscent green and gold wasp(?)

[Bruce Williams]

Northants garden, 26th March 2010. On Hedera.

Size: please check scale bar.

Well, looking closely there appears to be two pair of wings (much smaller hindwing). There is also a small device (any idea of purpose?) halfway along the leading edge of each forewing.

Help with identification appreciated as always.



Bruce

[Jason Green]

Evening Bruce,

I love these small wasps - such stunning little jewels! I suggest it's from the Encyrtidae family (though I obviously can't be certain!). They tend to be small, large-scutellumed, two-tone metallic bodied and have very little wing venation with [often?] forked pterostigma.

Any side/other shots at all?

A full ID would be a microscope job - isn't it always?

Take care,

Jason

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your interest and help Jason. I have got a side-view, although it's not very good as it was snapped quickly while the insect was "on the run". I'll pop it up later today.

Bruce

[Bruce Williams]

....here's the side view that you requested Jason. As I said before it's not a particularly clear shot:



Here's another semi-dorsal that might help a bit:



Bruce

[Jason Green]

Thanks Bruce - interesting, the swollen second half of the scape. (Scape= first section of the antenna connecting it to head. Just learned it myself! )

A useful additional image.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Jason - I hadn't noticed the swelling on the antennae and of course it's not visible in the dorsal view.

Bruce

[Jason Green]

...I know, funny that. Usually a swelling is visible from above as well. It must be just on the ventral perspective!