Gasteruption wasp, Gasteruption jaculator
Fairly widespread in England but less so throughout the rest of Britain this parasitic wasp is easily identified in flight due to the upright position of its abdomen. It is black with reddish-orange rings on its abdomen and its hind legs are club shaped at the bottom. The female has a very long ovipositor which she uses to lay eggs into the larvae of solitary bees or wasps. Adults can be seen from May to September in gardens and meadows visiting a variety of flowers.
