Chrysis ignita

Chrysis ignita is a species of cuckoo wasp. It is one of a group of species which are difficult to separate and which may be referred to as ruby-tailed wasps.

Cuckoo wasps are parasitoids and kleptoparasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other species where their young consume the larvae of their hosts. They have a number of adaptations which have evolved to equip them for their life cycle. They have metallic, armored bodies, and can roll up into balls to protect themselves from harm when infiltrating the nests of their hosts. Unlike most other aculeates, however, cuckoo wasps cannot sting.

The hosts of Chrysis ignita are believed to be potter wasps such as Ancistrocerus parietum. Chrysis ignita is found across the Palearctic excluding Africa, from western Europe to China and Japan.