Brachymeria tibialis

Description

Length about 5 mm. This is a small black and yellow chalcid wasp. The thighs are very swollen and the hind tibia of this species is all yellow dorsally along the entire length.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

In grassland where moths of the Burnet family (Zygaena sp.) are found.

When to see it

Rarely seen, probably best hatched from moth pupa.

Life History

Parasitic on various moths, especially members of the Burnet family (Zygaena sp.)

UK Status

Only added to the British list in 2008 and only three British records by 2009.

VC55 Status

Quite rare Nationally at this time. The Ellistown record of 8th July 2011 is the first record for VC55, and may be the first record of this species from anywhere in the Midlands. However it is pobably a recent immigrant and could be expanding its range and numbers. At present it is probably under recorded.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Bees, Wasps, Ants
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hymenoptera
Family:
Chalcididae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
08/07/2011 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
08/07/2011 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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