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Is identification possible? N. Apennines, Italy. 16 August

PostPosted: 23 Aug 2019 10:26
by briang
Unfortunately just a couple of images of this wasp before it flew away. I saw it on a stone on a bank of bare earth in a mountain area (c 1000m) where I saw other chrysidids back in July. Other wasps and bees nest in the area. To me, as a beginner, it looks like another Chrysis. My images show shape and colour but have no details of structure. I estimated about 5-6mm length. Is there any chance of getting to species identification?
Thank you for any help!
Brian

EDIT: I have added a third image of a chrysid feeding in a saxifrage, taken a couple of days earlier. Perhaps it is the same species? This was a sunny day, but the images posted first were on a dull day.

Re: Is identification possible? N. Apennines, Italy. 16 Augu

PostPosted: 23 Aug 2019 11:48
by Alex
Chrysis scutellaris, always a pretty species, I really like how you've captured the golden scutellum in the top pictures!

Re: Is identification possible? N. Apennines, Italy. 16 Augu

PostPosted: 23 Aug 2019 12:03
by briang
Alex, so kind of you to reply so quickly, and with a species-level identification!! Yes, very pretty, but I have never yet seen one of these wasps that isn't amazing. I think the dull light conditions in the first images actually helped to show the red-orange nicely, and that drew my eye to the wasp in the first place. Thank you again for your response.
Brian