Caenochrysis sayi

Caenochrysis sayi (Cuckoo wasp)

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Taxonomy

Caenochrysis sayi is a cuckoo wasp in the Chrysididae family, in the subfamily Chrysidinae. Caenochrysis sayi was previously known as Trichrysis carinata. 

Description

Caenochrysis sayi are bright green-blue iridescent wasps. Near the pit of the abdomen is the pit row. The medial edge of the pit row is nearly straight. The brow is well developed and located in the area below the 3 ocelli and between the two compound eyes.

Nest Structure

The known hosts for Caenochrysis sayi are species of Trypoxylon wasps. Minnesota Bee Atlas data has been able to associate Trypoxylon collinum as a potential host for Caenochrysis sayi.

During nest provisioning, the cells of the host’s nest are open and vulnerable to parasitism. The Caenochrysis sayi wasp takes advantage of this opportunity and will enter the host’s nest (once the host has left). The female Caenochrysis sayi will then lay their egg inside the host’s cell alongside the host’s egg. The host will then return to the nest. Unaware of the intruder, the host will seal up the cell encasing the host and cuckoo wasp egg. The Caenochrysis sayi larvae will then consume the host’s food provisions and sometime will consume the young host as well. In most cases, this leads to the death of the host and the successful emergence of the cuckoo wasp.