none Search flights of the aphid hyperparasitoid Pachyneuron aphidis were observed under field conditions. The pattern and duration differed from those described for aphid primary parasitoids. Forty per cent targeted landings close to aphid colonies indicate that P. aphidis females locate potential host sites during slow and extraordinary long flights in the host plant Cirsium arvense. A comparison between different aphid hyperparasitoids showed that the walking speed of P. aphidis was significantly slower than that of other polyphagous species. This suggests that search flights were performed in order to compensate for a reduced efficiency of foraging on foot. Nutrition; Diet; Feeding behaviour; Locomotion; Parasites diseases and disorders; Parasites; Insect parasites; Hosts; Insect hosts; Land and freshwater zones; Palaearctic region; Europe Lysiphlebus cardui; Lysiphlebus hirticornis (Aphidiidae ); Hymenopteran parasites; Pachyneuron aphidis; Within patch search flights by hyperparasite as means of improving foraging returns, hemipteran host; Hemipteran hosts; Aphis fabae & Metopeurum fuscoviride; Hyperparasitism; Germany; Bayreuth; Benefits of within patch search flights by hymenopteran hyperparasite Pachyneuron aphidis (Pteromalidae); Foraging; Foraging efficiency; Flight; Within patch search flights; Walking; Walking speed; Hymenopteran hosts; Lysiphelbus cardui & Lysiphlebus hirticornis; Within patch search flight by hyperparasite, compensation for low efficiency foraging on foot; Hyperparasitism; Germany; Bayreuth; Within patch search flights for host locations as compensation for low efficiency foraging on foot Aphis fabae cirsiiacanthoidis; Metopeurum fuscoviride (Aphidoidea ); Food plants; Cirsium arvense (creeping thistle); Hymenopteran parasites; Lysiphelbus cardui & Lysiphlebus hirticornis; Germany; Bayreuth; Within patch search flights by hymenopteran hyperparasite as means of improving foraging efficiency