A new species of wasp has been added to the NatureSpot species library - Pimpla rufipes - which turned up literally on the doorstep! More...

We often talk about the importance of taking notice of wildlife on the doorstep, but in this case it was literally true. Why this wasp should be attracted to my brick step I don't know but it was nevertheless an interesting find. It even waited very obligingly whilst I went to get my camera. It is a relatively large and quite striking insect, around 15mm in length with orange legs contrasting with its black body. My specimen is clearly a female with the stout ovipositor on view.

For more details about this species, follow the link above.