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A member of the family Torymidae, this wasp is parasitoid of cynipid wasps. Synonyms; Syntomaspis notata
The gall hosts of this species are; Andricus curvator sexual. The flight times for this wasp are april to may.
The female wasp measures in at 1.8-2.8mm, excluding ovipositor, with an average of 2.4mm.
The head is a bright metallic green, copper and blue, sculpted and with white hairs. The eyes are red brown. The antennae have golden brown funicles, of which there are 7 and one ring, and a metallic scape and pedicel with sensillae. The antennae is heavy but not tapered.
The bright metallic green thorax has copper and blue tints and white hairs. The thorax is sculpted and the notaulices are full. The scutellum has a transverse furrow. The wings which are clear and have yellow brown veins and hairs, with a short stigmal and post marginal vein with hairy fringes. The legs have metallic coxae and femorea, a dark brown tibia and the tarsel segments, of which there are 5, are pale.
The gaster (abdomen) is a glossy metallic green bronze with a testaceous streak underneath and is pedunculate. The ovipositor sheaths are moderate in length, about 65% body length, and dark brown and hairy.
The male is 1.5-1.9mm averaging at 1.7mm in length.
The head is bright metallic green, copper and blue, sculpted with white hairs. The eyes are red brown. The antennae are dark metallic bronze with a light green scape and pedicel. Heavy but not tapered. There is one ring and 7 funicular segments covered in pale longitudinal sensillae.
The thorax is a bright metallic green, copper and blue with scuplting and white hairs. Deep full length notaulices and the scutellum has a transverse furrow. The wings are clear with yellow brown veins and hairs. The stigmal vein is short, as is the post marginal vein. The legs have metallic coxae, femora and tibia. There are 5 pale tarsel segments.
The metallic green brown gaster is tiny and triangular.
More detailed descriptions and identification keys are available from Robin Williams at the British Plant Gall Society.
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