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| | | Gasteruption jaculator | | Gasteruption jaculator (synonym Foenus jaculator) is a species belonging to the genus Gasteruption, in the order Hymenoptera, the suborder Apocrita, the superfamily Evanioidea,the family Gasteruptiidae, and the subfamily Gasteruptiinae. Gasteruption jaculator are relatively common and widespread in Central Europe. This speciesis non endangered. | | |
| | | | Adult Gasteruption jaculator reach body lengths of 10 - 18 mm. The base colour of the body is black. Parts of the body are red in colour. The abdomen is larger at the posterior end. A striking feature of the Gasteruption jaculator is the upright position of the abdomen in flight. In resting position, the abdomen is pulled in a slight downward or upward curve. The wings are then folded along its length. The femurs of Gasteruption jaculator are thick at the end like clubs. | | |
| | | | Gasteruption jaculator are active during the day from May to September, and are found in a variety of habitats, including forest edges, shrubbery, hedgerows, meadows, gardens and natural parks. It is particularly fond of the parsley family, where it feeds on pollen, nectar or honeydew. | | |
| | | After mating, the fertilized females lay their eggs in the nests of different bee and waspspecies, for example Heriades truncorum and Ancistrocerustrifasciatus. Occasionally, oviposition takes place in butterfly cocoons, as observed in the case of the small tortoiseshell (Nymphalis urticae). Usually one egg is placed in each nest. Egg-laying often takes place in the nests of solitary bees of the genera Hylaeus and Osmia. A few days later the larvae hatch from their eggs. Firstly they eat the eggs or larvae of the host animals and later on any food supplies found there. | | |
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| | | Description of images / photos | | 1. | Gasteruption jaculator | | 2. | Gasteruption jaculator | | 3. | Gasteruption jaculator - Side view |
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