Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#337033
Cuckoo wasp - Chrysis nitidula-complex

Cuckoo wasp - Chrysis nitidula-complex
Elkton, Douglas County, Oregon, USA
June 25, 2009
Size: approx 9mm
This little wasp spent about 20 minutes exploring almost every chamber in one of my bee boxes, trying to find a surrogate, no doubt. It didn't succeed. Any chance of an ID?

Images of this individual: tag all
Cuckoo wasp - Chrysis nitidula-complex Cuckoo wasp - Chrysis nitidula-complex Cuckoo wasp - Chrysis nitidula-complex

Moved
Moved from Chrysidinae.

Chrysis
This nice specimen belongs to the genus Chrysis but the species can't be identified by photo. Usually it is even difficult with actual specimen. Another option is to say that it is Chrysis nitidula (formerly Chrysis coerulans) as is often done for simplicity to avoid difficulties separating all those similar species. Maybe a taxon with name Chrysis nitidula sensu lato should be created in bugguide for cases like this...

Moved
Moved from Cuckoo Wasps.

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.