Chalcid wasp ovipositing

Lord Vetinari

Chalcid wasp about 3mm body length going over the blister on a bush oak leaf and ovipositing presumably into the Pupae inside. I think the blisters are caused by a moth. Once the wasp has located it's victim - it points the tip of the abdomen down but then raises it gain revealing the ovipositor which I think is in a groove on the underside of the abdomen. It then looks like it's curtseying as it pushes the ovipositor down. You best see the process in the animation at the end.
Brian V.

Stumblebum

Supreme!

Lord Vetinari

Stumblebum wrote: »

Supreme!

Thanks SB - not exactly pretty but interesting.
Brian v.