Ceraphron bispinosus

Description:

a parasitoid wasp of the Ceraphronidae found in Bixley Wood, identification attempts have placed it at Ceraphron bispinosus (formerly C.striatus) even though that species is not on the UK list. The definitive species details accord exactly with the Medvedev key and hence I feel sure the identification is correct but no one can confirm or deny this. The relevant part of the key states as distinctive features: "Mesopleura and hind coxae with sharp longitudinal carinae (bottom picture). Posterior margin of hind coxae with short and very dense hairs. Metanotum with long and apically truncated denticle (bottom picture). Posterior upper corner of propleura andanterior margin of mesopleura shagreen. Body blackish-chocolate-brown, abdomen slightly lighter in colour (8th picture below). Body length 1.8 to 2mm (5th picture below)." Lots of detail pictures below, all can be viewed larger with a click.