Up to 12mm distribution.
Ruby tailed wasp uk sting.
Its abdomen is concave allowing it to curl up into a ball.
Ruby tailed wasps have been reported to parasitize a variety of hosts and thus their ovipositor has evolved to be a multi tool for infiltrating the nests of different wasps.
With thanks to s.
There are a number of ruby tailed wasp species that look very similar and are difficult to tell apart.
Found throughout the u k.
Heathlands and gardens often seen around old brick walls food.
Nectar and pollen special features.
Most cuckoo wasps are small seldom exceeding 1 2 cm about 0 5 inch in length.
Cuckoo wasp also called ruby tailed wasp any member of the insect family chrysididae chrysalidae of the order hymenoptera.
The colour is.
The family is large common and widely distributed.
They re all beautifully coloured with red blue green and bronze metallic colours.
More than 1 000 species of the genus chrysis alone have been described.
Interesting solitary wasp photographs by steven falk.
There are several species of ruby tailed wasps in the uk and ignita above is the one most frequently seen.
The green ruby tailed wasp is a parasite of other wasps including the bramble wasp.
Although ruby tailed wasps themselves have a sting it is not usually functional and there is no venom in most species.
Ruby tailed wasp article by buglife.
Illustration of the green ruby tailed wasp 4 6mm it length it s coloured with brilliant metallic greens and blues.
The ruby tailed wasp possesses an ovipositor which evolved from the usual stinging apparatus of most hymenopterans.
These wasps are solitary meaning they don t live in large social nests.
Ruby tailed wasps are found in most parts of britain.
Approximately 9 to 12 months habitat.
April to september life span.
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And it does have a sting although this is not venomous.
Parasitising other bees nests is a dangerous business but the ruby tailed wasp has a number of defences.
It has a hard body cuticle that protects it from the stings of the host species.