Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 417

Chrysis ignita is a chrysidid wasp with a colorful, metallic exoskeleton and a reduced stinger used as an ovipositor. It can be identified by its distinctive ruby-colored abdomen and textured exoskeleton. These wasps are found in various habitats including walls, cliffs, and areas with dead wood. They are believed to parasitize potter wasp species, but many of the host records are considered doubtful due to misidentifications. Field studies can be conducted using traps or by breeding host wasps in the hopes of observing parasitization. Some specialized Chrysis species have evolved chemical mimicry to infiltrate the nests of their hosts, matching the scent profile of the host wasp to remain undetected.