Wasps & Sawflies (Hymenoptera) @ Peartree
Hymenoptera is diverse group of insects that includes bees, wasps, sawflies and ants, with around 7000 British species, of which the majority are wasps. Many of these, including Braconid, Chalcid and Ichneumonid wasps, are parasitic on other insects, although some, including Sawflies and some Chalcid Wasps, are plant feeders. The very familiar Common Wasp and Hornet are predatory species, but we don't have any photos of these at Peartree Green yet (so if you spot any do send us your photos!). Here are some of the wasps and sawflies that we do have photos of...
Braconidae
Braconid Wasps (1,335 British species)
Braconidae - Braconid Wasp This wasp resembles Dinocampus coccinellae which is a parasite of ladybirds; however, identification is not confirmed
Photo: Geoff Frampton
Chalcidoidea
Chalcid Wasps (1,717 British species)
Chalcidoidea - Chalcid Wasp
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our July 2023 insect walk)
Gasteruptiidae
Carrot Wasps (6 British species)
Gasteruption species - Carrot Wasp
Their larvae are parasitoids of solitary bees. The adult female's long ovipositor enables her to inject eggs into the brood cells deep in a bee nest
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our July 2023 Insect Walk)
Ichneumonidae
Ichneumon Wasps (2,578 British species)
Ichneumon sarcitorius (Ichneumonidae)
Photo: Geoff Frampton
Pompilidae
Spider-Hunting Wasps (44 British species)
Spider-Hunting Wasp, identification to be confirmed
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our August Bug Walk 2024)
Tenthredinidae
Common Sawflies (446 British species)
Athalia rosae - Turnip Sawfly
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our insect walks in 2023 and 2024)
Tenthredo species
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our insect walks in 2024)
Vespidae
Social, Potter and Mason Wasps (33 British species)
Ancistrocerus species - Mason Wasp
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our July 2023 insect walk)
Have you seen any bees, wasps or other Hymenoptera at Peartree Green and would like to share your photos?
(contact us here)
Check out the Asian Hornet (Yellow-Legged Hornet) Watch!