Ruby-tailed Wasp Chrysis
ignita  |
||
| This stunning solitary wasp is one of the few insects which lives up to it's common name. It's bright metallic blue and red colouration, makes it relatively easy to identify, even in flight. The Ruby-tailed Wasp belongs to the Chrysididae family and is the most well known of the 31 UK species. There are other similarly coloured species within the family. Ruby-tailed Wasps are also occasionally referred to as Cuckoo Bees. Females enter the nests of other solitary bees to lay their eggs. The larvae feed on the host bee's brood until maturity. This colourful insect is regularly found on or around fence posts. Both of the two photographed here, were found in just such loctations at Clipstone Old Quarter near Edwinstowe in May 2007 (upper photographs) and at Eakring Meadows on September 1st 2008 (lower photographs) | ||
| .... | ||
 |
 |
|
| .... | ||
 |
 |
|
| .... | ||
| .... | ||
| UK distribution of Chrysis
ignita |
 |
 The UK distribution maps on eakringbirds.com are provided by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN Gateway) Each red square on the map indicates species present in 10km grid squares. Updated September 2011 |
|
| copyright © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved NERC 100017897 2004 |  |