Sturmia bella

This Sturmia bella (ID confirmed on Diptera.info - thanks to Chris Raper) emerged on 13/09/08 from one of the parasitoid pupae that formed from the Small Tortoiseshell pupae. (See August 30th below). In the end 54 parasitoids emerged from 29 of the 30 Small Tortoiseshell. Only one butterfly emerged from the 30 caterpillars collected. 52 of the parasitoid pupae were sent to Oxford University for their research ten days ago. This fly emerged from one of the two pupae retained.

Photo by Keith Balmer