Gasteruption sp.

Scientific name: Gasteruption sp. (Latreille, 1796)
Common name:
French name:
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Gasteruptiidae
Wingspan : 14-16 mm
Biotope: Meadows, fallow lands, bushes.
Geographic area: Europe.
Observation period : June-August

The insect of the Gasteruptiidae family differ from ichneumon wasps by their lengthy neck, their thick hind leg tibias and by the abdomen being attached to the upper side of the thorax.
The female shows a very long ovipositor (about the same length as the other part of the insect). Several species have an ovipositor with a white tip, like Gasteruption jaculator as an example. However it is not possible to tell these species apart on pictures.
The female lays its egg near the nest of a solitary wasp.
The Gasteruption larva will eat the wasp egg or larva and feed on the stored provisions (pollen or nectar).
During summer, you mainly observe Gasteruption sp. gathering nectar on Umbelliferae.

Gasteruption sp. - Yvelines, France - June 2nd 2007

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The long javelin-shaped ovipositor of this female originated the name of the species for Gasteruption jaculator. However you cannot be sure that this is the correct species for this one.

Gasteruption sp. - Yvelines, France - August 18th 2012

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It would have been better to have a light coloured background for a picture of a dark coloured insect.

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André Bon September 2016