Sparkling Parasite, Pt. 3 - _TNY_9523
This little female emerald wasp 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".
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.
Part 1 is of the same little lady in the process of depositing her egg inside a hole in the bee hotel here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53926970666/
Part 2 is at greater magnification (2:1 instead of 1.5:1 here): www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53956286511/
Sparkling Parasite, Pt. 3 - _TNY_9523
This little female emerald wasp 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".
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.
Part 1 is of the same little lady in the process of depositing her egg inside a hole in the bee hotel here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53926970666/
Part 2 is at greater magnification (2:1 instead of 1.5:1 here): www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53956286511/