Cuckoo wasp

Description:

Commonly known as cuckoo wasps, the hymenopteran family Chrysididae is a very large cosmopolitan group (over 3000 described species) of parasitoid or cleptoparasitic wasps, often highly sculptured, with brilliantly colored metallic-like bodies (thus the common names jewel wasp, gold wasp, or emerald wasp are sometimes used). They are most diverse in desert regions of the world, as they are typically associated with solitary bee and wasp species, which are also most diverse in such areas. These insects are considered to be invasive. Members of the largest subfamily, Chrysidinae, are the most familiar; they are generally cleptoparasites, laying their eggs in host nests, where their larvae consume the host egg or larva while it is still young, then consuming the provisions. Chrysidines are distinguished from the members of other subfamilies in that most can curl into a defensive ball, in a process known as conglobation. This ability is shared with pill bugs, pill millipedes (which are often mistaken for pill bugs), and armadilloes. Members of the other subfamilies are parasitoids, of either sawflies or walking sticks, and cannot fold up into a ball.

Notes:

Green iridiscent bodies which turns slightly blue at the tip of the abdomen make these insects very attractive. In flight as they glisten in the light, they appear like daytime fireflies. Their bodies are armoured, made of hard exo-skeleton that feels like metal to touch. In death, or defence, it folds itself into a ball. The jewel wasp evokes memories of professor Keenbean's remote-controlled RoboBee in Richie Rich (1994).