Chrysis.net Forum

Hi

I’m new to this forum. I take photographs of wildlife in the UAE. I’m not a specialist in any branch of entomology, but I am learning slowly.

I’m a bit confused by these. They’re quite common in my locality especially on Aerva javanica near a 1000meter mountain, and I have had photos 2 and 3 identified as Chrysis semicincta, which I have no reason to doubt.

But would that be subspecies tricolor? Also do these grow significantly and fade as they get older, because I have noticed that the predominantly green ones (as 2) are bigger?

Thanks

Huw

Those are some wonderfull pictures, thanks for sharing!

I cannot help you with the species ID, although I'm quite sure you are correct in that they belong to Chrysis.
Remember that holometabolic insects (ie insects that have a larval stage-> pupa->adult) never grow as adults. Also the metallic colours of these wasps are not from pigments, but structural, so they cannot bleach at all. The only thing that can happen is some change of the colour shade depending on the temperature and moisture content - but that mainly applies to dead specimens.

/Alex

Hi

very nice pictures!
About the ID, they could be female (first picture) and male (second and third) of Chrysis alternans Dahlbom.
Linsenmaier (1999) included in the keys also an other species Chrysis elegantula Spinola, however the identification of your specimens is not possibile without direct examination of the specimens.

Cheers
Paolo

Thanks for your answers. Chrysis alternans does seem more likely, and it has been recorded in the UAE before.

Huw