animals, animals, animals

Paying homage to the wonderful, unusual and diverse world of animals. I make no claim to content ownership. Sources are credited (with links) whenever possible — on both unique posts & re-blogs. Any post will be removed upon request (please provide URL link to the post/page). Enjoy! Email: animalworldtumblrblog@gmail.com Twitter: @animalworldtoo

Thu Mar 10
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Reblogged from thneedfactory

RUBY-TAILED WASP - Protective Posture (Chrysis ignita)

Picture: Spike Walker / Wellcome Images

Other images you may enjoy:

Jewel Wasp or Cockroach Wasp

Ruby-tailed Wasp or Cuckoo Wasp

Nice shot of a Ruby-tailed Wasp

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bugdrops:

Photomicrograph of the ruby-tailed wasp. Chrysis ignita is the most commonly observed (of several) species of the ruby-tailed wasp. It is easily recognised by the vibrant iridescent colours on its body. The head and thorax is a metallic green / blue, while the abdomen is a ruby red / bronze colour, which gives it its name. The underside of the abdomen is also concave, which allows the wasp to roll itself into a protective ball if threatened.

Ruby tailed wasps are ‘parasitoids’ meaning that they eventually kill their hosts. Chrysis ignita parasitizes Mason Bees - the females lay their eggs in the same nest as mason bees, so, when the ruby-tailed wasp larvae hatch, they feed on the mason bee larvae. Ruby tailed wasps do have a sting but it is not functional and most species have no venom.

To highlight the irridesent colours the wasp was lit with 2 electronic flashes, one +/- horizontal, the other at 45 degrees.

(via thneedfactory)

animals, animals, animals

Notes