small wasp for ID please

Toby · #1 (**permalink**) 03-04-2010, 05:04 PM

better pic than last effort. only about 3mm maybe 4mm, displaying a bit like a picture wing fly but presume its a Gall wasp? Richmond Park today on Skimmia bush

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 03-04-2010, 05:08 PM

Afternoon Toby,

I agree - a Gall Wasp in my opinion - though I wouldn't like to try going further as I'm not familiar with this group.

Take care,

Jason

Torymus · #3 (**permalink**) 05-04-2010, 09:19 PM

I almost never see gall wasps in the "wild". How come everyone else does? Great picure of a cynipid wasp. A female. I am fairly sure that this is Neuroterus albipes - an agamic female. The gaster ie the abdomen is rather elongate. Oval rather than circular and the picture seems to show this well. This is a feature of albipes rather than N. quercusbaccarum - compare with the photo of quercusbaccarum elswhere on this forum. Can't be absolutely certain without a specimen though.