Skip to main content
Close

Pteromalid Wasp

Coelocyba sp

Photo by Leuba Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-37.9661, 145.048

Field Notes

Description:

A very small wasp about 4 or 5 mm long spotted on euccalyptus leaf galls. The wasp had a lime green head, thorax , antennae and legs, three ocelli and red compound eyes.
Wings were clear and abdomen showed dark and pale bands.

Habitat:

Spotted on a eucalyptus trees, resting on what looks like fly galls (on leaf).

Notes:

My thanks to John La Salle for the ID. This is a parasitoid . John La Salle writes
"It is so hard to get pictures of these little guys that really show the diagnostic characters. Having said that - I am reasonable confident that this is in the genus Coelocyba (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae: Coelocybinae). These are known parasitoids of other gall-inducing wasps and flies. Unfortunately I can't even find any pictures on the web to point you at."

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)

Incredible. It looks like a mini robot wasp complete with plates, rivets and awkward little legs. I think I might have a potential target for this little parasite ... posting soon.
It is so hard to get pictures of these little guys that really show the diagnostic characters. Having said that - I am reasonable confident that this is in the genus Coelocyba (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae: Coelocybinae). These are known parasitoids of other gall-inducing wasps and flies. Unfortunately I can't even find any pictures on the web to point you at.

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon