This focus stacked image shows a 2.5 mm hyperparasitoid wasp in the genus Sycophila injecting her egg into the bright pink gall of a Smooth Spangle Gall Wasp, Neuroterus albipes. A tiny mite also sits on the leaf just below the gall. © Rupert Lees

Competition 2025 – Photography – 18 and over – Rupert Lees – (1) genus Sycophila; possibly Sycophila biguttata

By Rupert Lees

This focus stacked image shows a 2.5 mm hyperparasitoid wasp in the genus Sycophila injecting her egg into the bright pink gall of a Smooth Spangle Gall Wasp, Neuroterus albipes. A tiny mite also sits on the leaf just below the gall.

Competition: 2025 - Photography - 18 and over

Insect order: Ants, bees, wasps and sawflies

Species: genus Sycophila; possibly Sycophila biguttata

Picture taken in: United Kingdom

First image