Taxonomy
Chrysis impressa
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Species Biology
Identification
- Body length 6-11mm
- Iridescent blue-green head and thorax
- Iridescent red abdomen
- Abdomen tip with four ill-defined teeth
- Difficult to separate from other Chrysis species. The use of a microscope and specialist keys are required for identification.
Habitat
Poorly known in Ireland. Recent records have come from coastal soft-rock cliffs where its host species occur. Elsewhere in Europe it is known from sandy cliffs, sunny woodland clearings and gardens.
Flight period
May-August, possibly September.
Nesting biology
A kleptoparasite. Females lay their egg in the nests of other solitary wasps, in this case member of the genus Ancistrocerus. The egg will hatch and the young larvae consumes the egg of the host species before feeding on the supply of small caterpillars caught by the female Ancistrocerus wasp. It will hibernate and emerge the following year. It is unknown precisely which species are used in Ireland, but the Stocky Mason Wasp (Ancistrocerus oviventris) appears to be utilised at one site at least.
Flowers visited
Not an avid nectar feeder, but occasionally visits composite flowers such as Wild Carrot (Daucus carota).
Native region
Europe, North America
Similar species
- Chrysis ignita
- Chrysis mediata
- Chrysis rutiliventris
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2025
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References
Publications
Nelson, B., Ronayne, C., Nash, R., & O’Connor, J. P. (2001). Additions and Changes to the Irish aculeate Hymenoptera Checklist. The Irish Naturalists’ Journal, 26(12), 453–459. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25536366