Chrysidinae is a very large subfamily of cuckoo wasps. It is by far the largest subfamily of cuckoo wasps, and it contains the most widely recognized species. There are about 3,000 species in 48 genera in 4 tribes worldwide, and at least 33 species in 10 genera in 3 tribes in Minnesota.

Female cuckoo wasps lay their eggs in the nests of bees, potter wasps, and wasps in the family Crabonidae. When those eggs hatch the larvae eat the eggs or young larvae of the host and then consume the provisions left in the nest.

Cuckoo wasps cannot sting. When threatened, they will roll themselves into a ball, protecting their legs and other appendages.

Photo by Babette Kis

Description

Wasps in the subfamily Chrysidinae have metallic blue or green bodies that are densely and coarsely sculptured (covered with many tiny pits). On most species the rear part of the body has just three segments. Only males in the tribe Parnopini have four segments. The underside of the body is flat or concave, so that it is not usually visible when the wasp is viewed from the side.


Distribution
		Sources 24, 27, 30, 82.
6/19/2024


Taxonomy
Order	Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies)
Suborder	Apocrita (narrow-waisted wasps, ants, and bees)
Infraorder	Aculeata (ants, bees, and stinging wasps)
Superfamily	Chrysidoidea (cuckoo wasps and allies)
Family	Chrysididae (cuckoo wasps)

Subordinate Taxa
Tribe Allocoelini Tribe Chrysidini Tribe Elampini Tribe Parnopini

Synonyms


Common Names
This subfamily has no common name. The common name for the family Chrysididae is cuckoo wasps, and it is applied here for convenience.


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Babette Kis

Chrysidinae, cuckoo wasp Chrysidinae, cuckoo wasp, photographed May 30, 2024 at Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI.


Ali Robinson


Mike Poeppe

Found this one west of Houston today. Not the best but it moves fast!


Dan W. Andree

I believe these are Cuckoo Wasps... They were on a flowering shrub like tree. Not sure but think it is possibly a wild cranberry tree or bush. I took photos of the blossoms and some leaves and will look it up as I had noticed red berries on them late fall one year. June 10, 2019 on a trail near Twin Valley, Mn. in Norman County.


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Babette Kis
5/30/2024

Location: Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI

Chrysidinae, cuckoo wasp, photographed May 30, 2024 at Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI.


Ali Robinson 7/23/2023	Location: Alexandria Minnesota (Douglas County)

Mike Poeppe
10/17/2021

Location: Houston County, MN

Found this one west of Houston today. Not the best but it moves fast!

Dan W. Andree
6/10/2019

Location: on a trail near Twin Valley, Mn. in Norman County

They were on a flowering shrub like tree. Not sure but think it is possibly a wild cranberry tree or bush. I took photos of the blossoms and some leaves and will look it up as I had noticed red berries on them late fall one year. June 10, 2019 on a trail near Twin Valley, Mn. in Norman county.