Tiny green metallic wasp
I took a picture of this fly, which I think is a common Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria), sitting on the inflorescence of an umbelifer plant. When I looked closely I noticed that there was also a tiny little, metallic green wasp in the photograph as well (far left). There is not much to go on, but I think it is a chalcid wasp, perhaps Cecidostiba fungosa. It certainly looks a bit like the one in the photograph which was identified on the iSpot website (1).
The smallish eyes and yellow legs are the same. There is also quite a nice photograph on the web of a very similar tiny metallic wasp with yellow legs but no identification. (2). It’s fun to come across unexpected guests and educational to try and identify them, albeit virtually!
This photograph was taken by the car park at Flamborough Head whilst I was visiting the lighthouse (Yorkshire, UK).
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rcannon992 View All
I am a retired entomologist with a background in quarantine pests and invasive invertebrates. I studied zoology at Imperial College (University of London) and did a PhD on the population dynamics of a cereal aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum) in the UK. I spent 5 years with the British Antarctic Survey studing cold hardiness of Antarctic invertebates and 17 years with the Food and Environment Research Agency. My main interests now are natural history, photography, painting and bird watching.
Hi Ray,
Hes so TINY!!! Makes the fly look like a giant!
Would never have spotted it if you hadn’t pointed it out.
Cool photo
Laura
Thank you Laura