Torymus formosus

A member of the family Torymidae, this wasp is parasitoid of cynipid wasps. Synonyms; T. amaenus

The common gall hosts of this species are; Andricus quercusradicis agamic. The flight times for this wasp is august.

The female wasp measures in at 2.3-4.1mm, excluding ovipositor, with an average of 3.1mm.
The head is metallic green with gold hints and the eyes aremidsize and brown with pale brown ocelli. The antennae are neutral brown apart from the first segment which is yellow. There is one ring and 7 funicular segments which are covered in short hairs.
The thorax is copper with gold and green tints, granular and hairy. It has deep full length notaulices and the tegulae are pale neutral brown. The wings are clear with mid brown veins and paler hairs. The stigmal vein is short and the post stigmal veins are shortish also. The legs are yellow brown with metallic green coxae. There are 5 tarsel segments.
The rounded gaster (abdomen) is polished coppery golden brown with a green metallic tinit in the first segment and the ovipositor is brown, hairy and of medium length (approximatly 66% of body length).

The male is about 3.4mm in length.
The head is metallic green and hairy with a leathery structure. The eyes are mid size and brown with large brown ocelli. The antennae are dark and have one ring and 7 funicular segments. The scape is long and the pedicel is short and round.
The thorax is metallic green with bronze tints and hairy. The notaulices are deep and full length and the tegulae are dark testaceous. The wings are clear with dark hairs and pale brown veins. The legs have reticulated metallic green coxae with the rest being golden yellow and hairy. There are 5 tarsi.
The gaster has a leathery microsculpture and the first segment is a glossy metallic dark green with the remainder being purple tinged.

More detailed descriptions and identification keys are available from Robin Williams at the British Plant Gall Society.

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