Chrysis.net Forum

13.viii.2020. Val d’Arda (PC), N Apennine foothills, Italy. Around patches of sand and low shrubs. Couldn’t get a single image to show details, so here are two, of same individual. Trying to match general appearance with images online Hedychridium roseum looks reasonable fit. Is this the correct genus? Is it possible to get to species? Thanks for any help!

Hedychridium roseum (Rossi, 1790)

Thanks a lot OEV84!

Hi,

I'm not sure that this is Hedychridium roseum.
Around Piacenza there are other similar species with the same colouration.

Brian, did you collect the specimen?

Hi Paolo, no I did not collect the specimen, I don’t even take them home for more detailed studio photos. So in this way I’m not a ‘proper’ hymenopterist. I like to find and observe particular species, and get some nice images in nature if possible. So for species identification in groups such as Chrysididae I rely on experts who are willing to assist. As for this specimen, is there a species group I could refer to? For interest what are the other similar species? Thanks for your caution over ‘roseum’.
Brian

Hi Brian,

I'm not sure if this is a male or a female.

If it is a male, then it is H. roseum.
In case of a female this could be H. chloropygum (females can be without extended violet reflections on T3) or H. rossicum (= [i]valesiense[/i]). Of course, it could be H. roseum, but the punctation of metasoma looks too much dense and coarse.

In this area there are other species with the same colouration, but with slightly different shape of the head: H. mediocrum and H. sculpturatum.

Anyway, without the specimen in your hands ... it's impossible to add something else.

Thanks
Paolo

Sure, I understand. Thank you for the explanation!