Cotesia ofella

This is a small parasitoid wasp with a fascinating lifestyle. The Cotesia ofella female oviposits into a lepidopteran larva, which acts as host for the developing wasp larvae.   The erupting parasitoid wasp larvae then cooperate in spinning a communal web that encloses their individual, separately spun but connected cocoons. This is a fluffy looking white or yellowish ball which may be suspended from low vegetation. For a much more detailed report on the lifestyle of Cotesia species see the link under ‘Further Information’ below.

Detailed examination is necessary to identify to species level.

Various habitats where the host larvae occur.

Summer to early autumn.

See 'Further Information' link

Believed to be fairly common, though not particularly well recorded due to difficulty of identification.

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.  The Broughton Astley record of August 2024 is believed to be the first for our area.

https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/116378/