Metallic-wasp
Guides
Auplopus
spider wasps
Auplopus is a large genus of small spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, distributed worldwide except Antarctica. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud nests, often inside pre-existing cavities such as abandoned nests of other wasps, hollows in wood, or rock crevices. They hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and amputate the legs before transporting the prey to their nests. The wasps provision each mud cell with one or more paralyzed spiders, lay a single egg on the final victim, and seal the cell. Auplopus species are solitary and non-aggressive, with most activity occurring from May to October.
Auplopus architectus metallicus
Auplopus architectus metallicus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Like other Auplopus, females construct small, free-standing mud cells to house paralyzed spider prey and developing larvae. The subspecies was described by Banks in 1910. Members of this genus are small wasps, typically around 10 millimeters in length, with several species exhibiting bright metallic blue-green coloration.
Ceratochrysis
Ceratochrysis is a genus of cuckoo wasps in the family Chrysididae, established by Cooper in 1952. Members are kleptoparasitic wasps known for their metallic coloration and hard, sculptured exoskeletons. The genus is distinguished by antennal characteristics and specific structural features of the mesosoma. Species within this genus target the nests of other wasps and bees, laying eggs in host provisions.
Chrysis antennalis
Chrysis antennalis is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae, described by Rosen & DeBach in 1979. Like other members of the genus Chrysis, this species is a kleptoparasite that lays eggs in the nests of other solitary wasps and bees. The larvae consume the provisions intended for the host's offspring.
Chrysis apontis
Chrysis apontis is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae, described by Bohart in 1982. Cuckoo wasps in the genus Chrysis are kleptoparasitic, laying eggs in the nests of other solitary wasps and bees. The larvae consume the host's provisions and offspring. Members of this genus are known for their metallic coloration and heavily armored exoskeletons.
Chrysis cessata
Chrysis cessata is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae, first described by Buysson in 1891. Like other members of the genus Chrysis, it is a parasitoid that exploits the nests of solitary wasps and bees. Cuckoo wasps are characterized by their brilliant metallic coloration and heavily armored exoskeletons that allow them to resist attacks from host species.
Chrysis coerulans
Cuckoo Wasp
Chrysis coerulans is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Like other members of its family, it is a parasitoid that infiltrates the nests of solitary wasps and bees to lay its eggs. The species belongs to the Chrysis coerulans species group, a taxonomically complex assemblage that researchers are still working to fully resolve. These wasps are characterized by their metallic coloration and armored exoskeletons.
Chrysis coloradica
Chrysis coloradica is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a parasitoid that targets the nests of solitary wasps or bees. Cuckoo wasps in this genus are known for their brilliant metallic coloration and armored exoskeletons that protect them from host defenses. The specific epithet "coloradica" suggests a connection to Colorado or the western United States, though precise distribution details for this species are not well-documented in the provided sources.
Chrysis dorsalis
Chrysis dorsalis is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Like other members of this genus, it exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration and parasitic lifestyle typical of the group. Cuckoo wasps in this genus are known for their armored exoskeletons and ability to infiltrate the nests of solitary wasps and bees to lay their eggs. The specific biology and host associations of C. dorsalis remain poorly documented in available sources.
Chrysis montana
Chrysis montana is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Cuckoo wasps in this genus are kleptoparasites that lay eggs in the nests of other solitary wasps and bees. The species epithet "montana" suggests an association with mountainous regions, though specific ecological details for this species remain undocumented. Members of Chrysis are recognized by their brilliant metallic coloration and compact, armored bodies.
Chrysis nitidula-complex
The Chrysis nitidula-complex is a species group of cuckoo wasps (family Chrysididae) characterized by metallic coloration and parasitic life history. Members of this complex are kleptoparasites that lay eggs in the nests of other solitary wasps, particularly mason wasps. The larvae consume the prey provisions intended for the host's offspring. Species within this complex are difficult to distinguish morphologically and require detailed examination for definitive identification.
Chrysis propria
Chrysis propria is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Cuckoo wasps are parasitic wasps that lay eggs in the nests of other solitary wasps and bees. Members of the genus Chrysis are known for their striking metallic coloration and armored exoskeletons that provide defense against host attacks.
Chrysis provancheri
Chrysis provancheri is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Cuckoo wasps in this genus are known for their metallic coloration and parasitic lifestyle, laying eggs in the nests of other solitary wasps. The species was described by Schulz in 1906. Like other members of Chrysididae, it possesses a heavily armored exoskeleton that provides protection when entering host nests.
Chrysis rivalis
Chrysis rivalis is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Like other members of the genus Chrysis, it exhibits bright metallic coloration and a parasitic lifestyle, laying eggs in the nests of solitary wasps or bees. The species belongs to a taxonomically challenging group where color variation and morphological similarity have historically complicated species identification. Cuckoo wasps in this genus possess armored exoskeletons and the ability to curl into a defensive ball to protect against host attacks.
Chrysis scitula
Chrysis scitula is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Cuckoo wasps are obligate parasites of other solitary wasps and bees, with females laying eggs in host nests. Members of the genus Chrysis are known for their striking metallic coloration and heavily armored exoskeletons that provide protection during nest invasions. The specific biology and host associations of C. scitula remain poorly documented.
Chrysis tenuicornis
Chrysis tenuicornis is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Members of this genus are known for their striking metallic coloration and parasitic lifestyle, laying eggs in the nests of other solitary wasps and bees. The specific epithet "tenuicornis" refers to slender antennae, a characteristic that may aid in species identification within this diverse genus.
Chrysura pacifica
Chrysura pacifica is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Members of this genus are known as cleptoparasites of other bees and wasps, with females laying eggs in the nests of host species. The specific epithet "pacifica" suggests a western North American distribution, though detailed records are sparse. The species has been documented in at least three iNaturalist observations.
Cleptes rufigaster
cuckoo wasp, jewel wasp
Cleptes rufigaster is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. The genus Cleptes comprises parasitoid wasps known for their metallic coloration and distinctive nesting habits. Members of this genus are parasitoids of sawfly prepupae. The species was described from China as part of a 2013 revision that recognized seventeen Cleptes species from the country, nine of which were new to science.
Elampini
Elampini is a tribe of cuckoo wasps within the family Chrysididae, comprising approximately 12 genera including Elampus, Hedychrum, and Holopyga. Members are kleptoparasitic wasps that lay eggs in the nests of other hymenopterans, particularly solitary bees and wasps. The tribe is distinguished by morphological features of the metasoma and male genitalia. Elampini species are found across the Holarctic region with highest diversity in the Palearctic.
Hedychridium dimidiatum
Hedychridium dimidiatum is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. These small, brilliantly metallic wasps are nest parasites of predatory solitary wasps, particularly beewolves in the genus Philanthus. The species has been documented as a suspected parasite of Philanthus gibbosus in North America. Like other chrysidids, females enter host nests to lay eggs, and when threatened can roll into a tight ball where their dense, sculptured cuticle protects them from stings and bites.
Hedychridium fletcheri
Hedychridium fletcheri is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. The genus Hedychridium comprises brilliantly colored wasps with metallic blue, green, and red coloration. These wasps are nest parasites of predatory, solitary wasps. The specific epithet "fletcheri" suggests the species was named in honor of an individual with that surname, though the exact etymology is not documented in available sources.
Hedychrum
Hedychrum is a large genus of cuckoo wasps in the family Chrysididae, comprising roughly 150 species and ranking as the second largest genus in the family. Most species occur in the Palaearctic region, with additional species present in the Oriental, Afrotropical, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. These wasps are obligate brood parasites of ground-nesting apoid wasps, primarily in the subfamily Philanthinae.
Hedychrum cupricolle
Hedychrum cupricolle is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Like other members of its genus, it is a kleptoparasite that targets the nests of solitary wasps. The species has been recorded in Europe, though specific details about its biology and distribution remain limited in published sources.
Psyllaephagus
Psyllaephagus is a large genus of chalcid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, containing approximately 245–246 described species as of 2019, with greatest diversity in Australia (~100 described species, possibly ~1,000 total). The genus was established by William Harris Ashmead in 1900. Most species are primary parasitoids of psylloids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea), with some secondary parasitoids. Three Australian species—P. pilosus, P. bliteus, and P. yaseeni—have been successfully deployed as biological control agents against invasive psylloids in California, Europe, Hawaii, and southeast Asia.