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A member of the family Torymidae, this wasp is parasitoid of cynipid wasps. Synonyms; T. pleuralis
The common gall hosts of this species are; Andricus quercusradicis agamic, Neuroterus saliens sexual. The flight times for this wasp april to may.
The female wasp measures in at 2.3-3.5mm, excluding ovipositor, with an average of 2.9mm.
The head is golden tinted metallic green, reticulated and hairy with large red brown eyes. The antennae are long and fairly slender, dark grey brown in colour and hairy. There is one ring and 7 funicular segments.
The thorax is bright metallic green with pale hairs and complete notaulices. The tegulae are testaceous leading on to the wings which are clear with pale hairs and veins, a short stigmal vein but a longer postmarginal vein. The legs have metallic green coxae that fade to pale yellow at the end, the rest is all pale yellow and hairy with 5 tarsal segments and dark claws.
The gaster (abdomen) is deep and triangular from the side with fine microsculpture and hairy. The front half is semi glossy testaceous with the rear half being metallic green and the longish (about 80% body length) ovipositor being slender and dark brown in colour.
The male is about 2mm in length.
The head is darker metallic green than the female but is also reticulated and hairy. The eyes are red brown and mid sized. The antennae are mid brassy gold with one ring and 7 funicular segments and the scape has a paler yellow base.
The thorax is also darker metallic green than the female with light hairs and complete notaulices. The tegulae are testaceous and lead to clear wings with pale veins and hairs, a short stigmal vein but longer post stigmal vein. The legs have brown coxae which tapers down through the femora to the pale yellow tibia and 5 tarsel segments, with pale hairs and dark claws.
The gaster is hairy, wide and dull. The front is testaceous with a brown end.
More detailed descriptions and identification keys are available from Robin Williams at the British Plant Gall Society.
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