Enicospilus undulatus (Gravenhorst, 1829) (Ophioninae), a parasitoid of the grass eggar Lasiocampa trifolii (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), new to Sweden

Abstract

The Darwin wasp Enicospilus undulatus (Gravenhorst, 1829) is recorded as new to Sweden. The distinguishing characters between E. undulatus and the closely related E. inflexus (Ratzeburg, 1844) are illustrated. The host dynamics of E. undulatus with focus on the grass eggar Lasiocampa (Pachygastria) trifolii (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) are discussed. The paper also briefly presents Metiopius croceicornis Thomson, 1877 and Gravenhorstia picta Boie, 1836, two other conspicuous ichneumonids that probably also specialize in parasiting the grass eggar in Northern Europe. Finally, lepidopterists visiting localities for L. trifolii are encouraged to keep their eyes open for these potentially rare, but spectacular parasitoids.