Family Chrysididae - Cuckoo Wasps

Gold Wasps, Ruby Wasps(1)

cry-SID-di-dee

The name "cuckoo wasp" refers to the fact that these wasps lay eggs in the nests of unsuspecting hosts.

5 subfamilies, with 227 spp. in ~30 genera in our area, where they are most diverse in the west: 166 spp. in CA alone(2); worldwide, >3000 described (~4,000 estimated) spp. in >80 genera(3)(4)

Overview of our fauna* –taxa not yet in the guide; classification adapted from(2)(4)

Family Chrysididae

Subfamily Cleptinae Cleptes

Subfamily Amiseginae *Adelphe · Amisega · *Microsega

Subfamily Chrysidinae

Subfamily Parnopinae Parnopes

6-12 mm

Characteristics of Chrysididae(5)(6)(4):

Throughout NA (most diverse in the west) and in all the zoogeographic regions worldwide, except Antarctica; 10% of all our spp. are CA endemics(3)(4)(2)

Most species are external parasites of wasp and bee larvae; one subfamily (Cleptinae, one genus, Cleptes) attacks sawfly larvae, another subfamily (Amiseginae) the eggs of walkingsticks.

Some species are parasitoids and others cleptoparasites. Either way the host larva dies.

Parasitoids feed on the larva of the host and cleptoparasites "steal" the host's food. The food-stealing behavior of cleptoparasite species resembles that of the cuckoo bird and gave rise to the cuckoo wasp's name. Hosts of parasitoid species include bees, sphecid wasps, potter wasps, sawflies, silk moths, and the eggs of stick insects. Cleptoparasitic species feed on provisions of sphecid wasp nests, which may include dead spiders, true bugs, aphids, or thrips.

The female sting has been modified into an egg-laying tube with highly reduced valvulae and poison gland. As a result, unlike most other aculeates, chrysidids cannot sting and can be easily handled.(2)

Some metallic-green sweat bees (Halictidae) are superficially similar but lack the sculptured cuticle and the ability to curl up in a protective ball