Polysphincta boops

Polysphincta boops is a species belonging to the family Ichneumonidae subfamily Pimplinae.

Distribution and habitat

This species is present in Europe. These insects are mostly arboreal. They inhabit trees and bushes in a wide range of areas.

Description

The adults of Polysphincta boops grow up to long, with an ovipositor of. They are among the largest species in the Polysphincta genus-group in Europe. They are characterised by a black body, with yellow scutellum, postscutellum, mandibles and legs. Females show a very long ovipositor.

Biology

This wasp parasitizes exclusively adults of spiders. When the egg deposited by the females hatches, larvae feed on the spiders' hemolymph. These insects overwinter as a small larva on their host.