Cuckoo Wasp (Chrysis sp. possibly angolensis)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Cuckoo Wasp (Chrysis sp. possibly angolensis)

Superfamily Chrysidoidea – Cuckoo Wasps and Allies
Family Chrysididae – Cuckoo Wasps
Subfamily Chrysidinae
Tribe Chrysidini
Genus Chrysis

https://bugguide.net/node/view/243038

Eyecatching metallic coloring.  Spotted this one checking out the decorative shutters that the Mud Daubers build their nests behind.

Cuckoo wasps are parasitoids and cleptoparasites of other insects (mainly other wasps) e.g., place eggs in the unfinished or untended nest of another wasp or bee. This is similar behavior in nature to the cuckoo bird, thus the common name.

Adults pollinate

Learn: https://www.chrysis.net/chrysididae/overview-of-chrysididae/

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/this-cuckoos-offspring-depend-on-a-mud-dauber-wasp/

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• insect
• parasitoid
• wasp