Banded Chalcid Wasp vs Fire-tailed Cuckoo Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Banded Chalcid Wasp | Fire-tailed Cuckoo Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chalcis sispes | Chrysis viridula |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Chalcididae | Chrysididae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasites |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Banded Chalcid Wasp
A robust chalcid wasp with enlarged hind femora bearing tooth-like projections. It parasitizes the pupae of various flies and lepidopterans.
Did You Know?
Its massively swollen hind legs, armed with sharp teeth, help it grip surfaces when drilling into host pupae.
Fire-tailed Cuckoo Wasp
A metallic green cuckoo wasp with a distinctive red-gold abdomen tipped with four small teeth. It parasitizes the nests of cavity-nesting solitary wasps.
Did You Know?
The number of teeth on the tip of the abdomen is a key feature used to identify different cuckoo wasp species.