Copidosoma cuproviride

Description

Females, length 1.2–1.4mm. Head green with golden metallic reflections; antenna brown; mesoscutum with emerald green metallic reflections, scutellum darker than mesoscutum, with golden purplish metallic reflections; tegula black; fore wing weakly infuscate with a darker triangular area beneath stigmal vein, venation brown; legs brown, joints somewhat paler; gaster brown with purple reflections. Mesoscutum with sculpture of large polygonal cells medially; scutellum with sculpture of extremely narrow, elongate cells giving a striate appearance; forewing wide, about 2.2 as long as broad. Gaster with ovipositor exserted, exserted part 0.7–1.2 as long as mid tibial spur. 
Males, length 1.1–1.2mm. Very similar to female but for antenna and genitalia.

Similar Species

Copidosoma agrotis - males cannot be separated reliably from those of C. cuproviride suggesting that the two species may be synonymous. 

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Life History

All species of Copidosoma with known biology are primary egg-larval endoparasidoids of Lepidoptera. 

UK Status

Unknown.

Leicestershire & Rutland Status

Unknown.

Further Information

Guerrieri, E. & Noyes, J. (2005) Revision of the European species of Copidosoma Ratzeburg (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), parasitoids of caterpillars (Lepidoptera). Systematic Entomology, 30(1), 97-174.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
insect - hymenopteran
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hymenoptera
Family:
Encyrtidae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
29/06/2026 (Cann, Alan)
Last record:
29/06/2026 (Cann, Alan)

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