Naturally Golden-Orange. Braconid Wasp on Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus-castus, Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Chaste Tree has pretty purple flowers (inset) just now in blossom in the Hortus. As I was examining them, I noticed on some unopened buds this small orange wasp. Quite appropriate, too. This shrub in Antiquity was considered sacred to the goddess Hestia or Vesta, she of the hearth. The color associated with her is the golden-orange of the embers in a hearth fire. And that fits in well with the coloring of this Braconid (if that is indeed what it is; perhaps someone will correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks.)
Naturally Golden-Orange. Braconid Wasp on Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus-castus, Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Chaste Tree has pretty purple flowers (inset) just now in blossom in the Hortus. As I was examining them, I noticed on some unopened buds this small orange wasp. Quite appropriate, too. This shrub in Antiquity was considered sacred to the goddess Hestia or Vesta, she of the hearth. The color associated with her is the golden-orange of the embers in a hearth fire. And that fits in well with the coloring of this Braconid (if that is indeed what it is; perhaps someone will correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks.)