Sparkling Parasite - _TNY_9564
This little female emerald wasp peeking out of a hole is a species known as Chrysis longula. It looks very similar to several of the other Chrysis species, but it is a little larger, up to 13 mm / .51". Fortunately for me, I also managed a shot straight from the side so I could calculate the body length with good precision and it came out at exactly 13 mm.
Emerald wasps are also known as cuckoo wasps, and just like cuckoos, these parasitise on other species - the little lady here is in the process of laying her egg inside some bee or wasps egg chamber which that female will fill with pollen or insects and seal up. Then the emerald wasp egg will hatch first and the larvae will kill the other egg and feed of the stored provisions.
Sparkling Parasite - _TNY_9564
This little female emerald wasp peeking out of a hole is a species known as Chrysis longula. It looks very similar to several of the other Chrysis species, but it is a little larger, up to 13 mm / .51". Fortunately for me, I also managed a shot straight from the side so I could calculate the body length with good precision and it came out at exactly 13 mm.
Emerald wasps are also known as cuckoo wasps, and just like cuckoos, these parasitise on other species - the little lady here is in the process of laying her egg inside some bee or wasps egg chamber which that female will fill with pollen or insects and seal up. Then the emerald wasp egg will hatch first and the larvae will kill the other egg and feed of the stored provisions.