Pimpla rufipes

[Paul Iddon]

These are incredibly skittish - always twitching, always flying away as you approach - but occasionally, they do stop and pause for whatever reason giving a chance to snap a few images. They do tend to re-visit the same part of the garden - usually around my variegated laurel. Pimpla rufipes is one of the Ichneumonidae but like many Ichneumon wasps it is badly under recorded.

Paul.

 

[Asher Kelman]

These are incredibly skittish - always twitching, always flying away as you approach - but occasionally, they do stop and pause for whatever reason giving a chance to snap a few images. They do tend to re-visit the same part of the garden - usually around my variegated laurel. Pimpla rufipes is one of the Ichneumonidae but like many Ichneumon wasps it is badly under recorded.

Paul.

Paul,

It WAS “badly recorded”. But you, with 7 wonderful shots have helped us see it very well!

But it’s just one!

We have no idea of it’s age, sex or marital status LOL!

I will at least read up on this remarkably handsome red-legged wasp!

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

It does appear to have an ovipositor so therefore female!

Am I correct?

Asher

 

[Paul Iddon]

It's a female yes.

In the UK, they are common - but unlike records of bees, the records seem to be few, though the people in the know say they are quite plentiful. At around 15mm in size, you not notice them!

Paul.