Chrysis cessata

Taxonomy

Chrysis cessata is in the family Chrysididae, in the subfamily Chrysidinae.

Description

Chrysis cessta are bright green-blue iridescent wasps. They have 4 ‘teeth’ at the end of their last abdominal segment. Alongside the last abdominal segment (T3) and above the pit row there is a bright metallic red coloration. The red band on T3 is a strong indication of Chrysis cessata. There is a smooth median longitudinal ridge along the top of the abdomen. The brow is well developed and located in the area below the 3 ocelli and between the two compound eyes. This species is closely related to Chrysis nitidula. 

Nest Structure

Chrysis cessata is a species of cuckoo wasp. Cuckoo wasps are cleptoparasites (nest parasites) of various Hymenoptera species. Since cuckoo wasps do not make nests or provide food provisions for their young, they rely on their hosts to provide for them instead.

The known hosts for Chrysis cessata are species of Eumenid wasps (mason wasps). From MN Bee Atlas data, we have been able to confidently determine Ancistrocerus antilope as a host for Chrysis cessata in Minnesota.

During nest provisioning, the cells of the host nest are open and vulnerable to parasitism. The Chrysis cessata wasp takes advantage of this opportunity and will enter the host's nest while she is gone. The female cuckoo bee will then lay her egg 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 Chrysis cessata 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. 

Hole Sizes

No information at this time.

Voltinism

No information at this time.

Activity Period

No information at this time.

References

No information at this time.