🐝 Ants, Bees & Wasps

Red-legged Pimpla

Pimpla rufipes

About Red-legged Pimpla

A robust black ichneumon wasp with distinctive reddish-orange legs. It parasitizes a wide range of moth and butterfly pupae.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most generalist ichneumon wasps, recorded parasitizing over 100 different host species.

How to Identify Red-legged Pimpla

Red-legged Pimpla (Pimpla rufipes) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Ichneumonidae. Adults typically measure 10-15 mm.

Red-legged Pimpla Habitat

Red-legged Pimpla is found in heathland habitats, particularly across Europe, Asia, North Africa. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

Red-legged Pimpla Diet and Feeding

Red-legged Pimpla has an omnivorous diet, feeding on both plant and animal matter. This dietary flexibility allows it to exploit a wide range of food sources in its environment.

Where Is Red-legged Pimpla Found?

Red-legged Pimpla can be found in Europe, Asia, North Africa, where it inhabits heathland environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where Red-legged Pimpla can be found

Is Red-legged Pimpla Dangerous?

Red-legged Pimpla belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes many stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled. Stings can cause pain and swelling, and in rare cases may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Red-legged Pimpla Role in Nature

Red-legged Pimpla plays a role in its ecosystem as part of the food web, serving as both consumer and prey. Insects like Red-legged Pimpla are a vital food source for birds, bats, and other wildlife, and contribute to the overall health and balance of their environment.

Seasonal Activity

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Dec
Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About Red-legged Pimpla

What does Red-legged Pimpla look like?

The Red-legged Pimpla typically measures 10-15 mm.

Where is Red-legged Pimpla found?

The Red-legged Pimpla is found in Europe, Asia, North Africa and typically inhabits heathland environments.

What does Red-legged Pimpla eat?

The Red-legged Pimpla has an omnivorous diet, feeding on both plant and animal matter.

Is Red-legged Pimpla dangerous to humans?

The Red-legged Pimpla belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled.

What is an interesting fact about Red-legged Pimpla?

It is one of the most generalist ichneumon wasps, recorded parasitizing over 100 different host species.

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Red-legged Pimpla (Pimpla rufipes). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/red-legged-pimpla

MLA:
"Red-legged Pimpla." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/red-legged-pimpla.