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Project Noah Nature School
Chrysis sp.
Shiny metallic green wasp with parasitic mites
I found this wasp in my backyard, on a cactus.
I found this wasp on a cactus, rubbing it's abdomen on the spines. I realized that the wasp was trying to use the cactus spines to wipe off parasitic mites. I caught the wasp, killed the mites using lemon, and released the wasp. I saved it's life.
Spotted on May 3, 2021
Submitted on May 3, 2021
7 Comments
@John B. If identifying it to the species is nearly impossible, and I don't have any specimens to show an entomologist, then I will have the spotting just be
"Cuckoo Wasp (Chrysis sp.)"
@arne.roysland Thanks for the ID. It looks like it.
I think arne.roysland got it right. I also think it is a Chrysidid Cuckoo Wasp. It is probably a member of the Genus Chrysis. If so, you have an almost impossible task ahead of you trying to ID it further. There are just too many spp. in the Chrysis. Good luck. John B.
Then the only other option is to name it Cuckoo Wasp
https://www.inaturalist.org/places/north...
arne.roysland the antennae are different
Never seen or heard of such a thing
Small carpenter bee (Ceratina sp.)