23-11-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CREAM STRIPED DARWIN WASP (Ophion obscuratus)

Length: 15 to 22 mm. Ophion obscuratus is identified the pale stripes on the thorax and by pale corners of the 'stigma' (the dark mark on the leading edge of the forewing). Many species of Ophion look similar therefore field identification is difficult. When viewed dorsally they have a long narrow reddish brown body but from a side view, the thin curved waist broadens out to a deep abdominal region.  We have been informed recently that there is some debate about Ophion obscuratus and it may need to be split into more than one species.  We have therefore decided to treat it as an aggregate until things are resolved. 

 

23-11-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CREAM STRIPED DARWIN WASP (Ophion obscuratus)

The cream-striped darwin wasp does not hibernate in the winter, instead, it disappears for a few months in the late spring and early summer. Instead of depositing their eggs in word-borne holes, females use caterpillars. The female lays her eggs inside the caterpillars of different species of nocturnal moths.

Cream-striped darwin wasp is a type of parasitoid wasp that belongs to the family Ichneumonidae. It is known to parasitize caterpillars of various moth species.

Habitat is open or semi-open grassland and heath.

Adult drinks nectar.

Larva eats internal tissues of caterpillars of tiger moths, noctuids, giant silkworm moths, and satyrids.