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Coelocyba sp
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.
Spotted on a eucalyptus trees, resting on what looks like fly galls (on leaf).
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."
Spotted on Oct 28, 2013
Submitted on Nov 3, 2013
4 Comments
It does look like a little robot wasp!
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.
They are so, so tiny, and yet so beautiful!