Europe and temperate Asia, although records can be complicated by the Chrysis ignita species group.
Fine-art photographic collection
Chrysis ignita
An armoured nest-invader that rolls into an almost un-stingable ball.
About this species
Ruby-tailed Wasp
Chrysis ignita(Linnaeus, 1758)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
The ruby-tailed wasp risks entering the occupied nests of solitary wasps. Its body is shaped for this dangerous intrusion: a hard sculptured back and concave underside allow it to fold vulnerable legs and antennae inside.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Chrysididae · Chrysis
Accepted species within the Chrysis ignita group. External appearance alone may not separate all members of this difficult complex. · checked 2026-07-15
Europe and temperate AsiaBroad documented range and selected reference localities — not a complete occurrence map.
What makes this species remarkable?
When attacked by a host, it curls into a tight defensive ball that exposes armour while hiding the legs, antennae and softer underside.
A host wasp may be unable to sting the rolled intruder and can do little more than carry the ball outside—after which it may attempt another entry.
The egg is placed inside a host nest, where the young wasp kills the host offspring and consumes the provisions collected for it.