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I swept this tiny parasitica, 2.2 mm long, from a holly bush infested with holly leaf-miner Phytomyza ilicis. Does anyone know if it could be a parasite of this fly, please? It is from Bangor, North Wales, 24 Feb. 2010.

The dark patch in the wing is a genuine wing marking, not out-of-focus dirt.

It is photographed in alcohol by the high-tech method of holding my camera against the microscope eyepiece.

John

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Eulophidae

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Thanks for this. I probably won't get any further than family, but I'll keep the specimen. One day I might meet a eulophid specialist.

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Chrysocharis gemma looks like it might be distinct possibility, especially considering the association with Phytomyza ilicis.

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Thanks very much. Do you know what the critical features are that I should look for on the specimen, please?

John

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The following characters should be sufficient to separate this species from other British Eulophidae: -

Forewing submarginal vein with 2 dorsal bristles.
Scutellum with only 2 bristles situated near the middle.
Forewing postmarginal vein 2 x longer than stigmal vein.
Pronotal collar with a sharp transverse carina and with hind margin smooth and shining.
Propodeal callus with 7-10 setae.
Forewing usually with a single large fuscous discal cloud.

According to Hansson in his 1985 revision of Palearctic Chrysocharis it is a "Solitary endoparasite of leafminers mining leaves which are tough and leathery.
Plants with tough and leathery leaves are frequently evergreens, and it is interesting to note that C. gemma overwinters in the adult stage and seems to be more or less active even during the winter".

Hope this helps.

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Thanks for these characters. I've checked them all except the setae on the propodeal callus. I don't know whether they are absent, or I just can't see them.

Thanks for your help,
John

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Ian McLean has kindly sent me a copy of Hansson's key. I've managed to see the setae on the propodeal callus and the ornamentation fits Hansson's fig. 112, so I've convinced myself it is Chrysocharis gemma.