Callitula pyrrhogaster

Callitula pyrrhogaster

Description

Callitula pyrrhogaster is a tiny, flightless parasitic wasp. Wings rudimentary, head in dorsal view only 1.8 to 1.85 times as broad as long. Abdomen (gaster) dorsally with the basal half or more reddish-orange. 

Similar Species

Callitula bicolor (this has wings fully developed). 

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Identification of most species in this group is very difficult.  Although this particular species is rather distinctive, high quality photographs are still required.

Habitat

Various habitats, grassy areas.

When to see it

Main period would seem to be April to September.

Life History

A tiny parasitoid wasp of flies. A known parasitoid of the frit fly (Oscinella frit), considered a pest of agricultural crops like oats, barley, wheat, and maize.

UK Status

Rarely recorded in Britain, perhaps due to its very small size and the difficulty of identifying species in this family group, but may be fairly frequent.

VC55 Status

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland because of identification difficulty.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records