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The larvae develop in discrete larval cells arranged in a ring
around the gall inducing moth larva, with 6-20 cells per gall.
Each wasp larval cell is ellipsoidal and measures about 2 mm
in length.
Development of the wasp cells gradually reduces the space available
to the moth caterpillar, which dies as a result. The wasp larvae
feed on the plant tissue and when mature form a pupa inside the
gall. On emerging from the pupa the adult wasps need to chew their
way out of the gall before flying off to find young moth galls to
lay their eggs in, completing the life cycle.
Photographs © Simon van
Noort or
© Jose-Luis Nieves-Aldrey |
