Chrysis nitidula

Taxonomy

Chrysis nitidula are in the family Chrysididae in the Chrysidinae subfamily.

Description

Chrysis nitidula are bright green-blue iridescent wasps. They have 4 ‘teeth’ at the end of their last abdominal segment. 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 cessata. 

Nest Structure

Chrysis nitidula is a species of cuckoo wasp that is widespread and commonly collected across MN and beyond. Cuckoo wasps are known to be nest parasites, or kleptoparasites, 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 nitidula are species of Eumenid wasps (mason wasps). Minnesota Bee Atlas data has been able to confidently determine Ancistrocerus antilope as a host for Chrysis nitidula in Minnesota.

During nest provisioning, the cells of the host’s nest are open and vulnerable to parasitism. The Chrysis nitidula wasp takes advantage of this opportunity and will enter the host’s nest (once the host has left). The female cuckoo wasp will then lay her 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 Chrysis nitidula 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.