Green Chalcid Wasps

Another type of chalcid wasp, these I think are probably Torymids, possibly Torymus sp. (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), but I am not sure of that.  The females use their long ovipositors to lay their eggs on the larvae at the centre of oak galls (see here for a photo).

The males seemed a bit smaller than the females, even allowing for their lack of ovipositor:

[Note added 2010-02-04: I had assumed that, because this wasp was close to the Torymid wasp in the first two photos, that it must be the same species.  However, in a comment below, Hannes Baur suggests that it is more likely a female Eulophid wasp of genus Sympiesis, possibly S. sericeicornis.]

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2009-10-08.

Comments

[Hannes]

Lovely pictures of chalcid wasps. The upper two are indeed Torymus, however, the male looks like a Sympiesis (possibly S. sericeicornis). It's most likely a female.

[Tristram]

Thanks. I had assumed that, as the wasp in the 3rd photo was on a leaf right next to the wasp in the first two, was probably the same species. However, I now notice that its legs are coloured differently.