One of the main insects we have been waiting to record in the Garden finally showed up today, a Ruby-tailed Wasp. Think neon tetra (for those who like tropical fish) with wings and you’re on the right track. A spectacular looking insect belonging to the Cuckoo Wasp family Chrysididae. Our visitor was very happy foraging within the head of a Wild Carrot plant, as seen below.
Sadly we probably cannot identify this beyond the Family level, but its likely to belong to the genus Chrysis, Pseudomalus or Elampus. These guys are kleptoparasites, they deposit their eggs into the nest of a suitable host, often a bee species. The larva feed on the grubs and are then fed by the hosts themselves.
They are very small solitary wasps (not social) and easily overlooked despite their vivid colouration. We don’t believe they are under any particular threat in terms of current UK distribution.
DC: 23/07/2023
Wildlife Garden 