# Jewel Wasp (*Chrysididae*) The Jewel Wasp is a small, colorful insect that looks like a shiny gem! They are fascinating to watch as they fly around. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Gardens and meadows - **Also known as:** Cuckoo Wasp, Gold Wasp ![Jewel Wasp](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424746/objects/5587.jpg) ## Appearance The Jewel Wasp has a stunning, metallic exoskeleton that shimmers with brilliant greens, blues, reds, or golds, making it look like a tiny flying gem. Its body is often flattened and heavily sculptured, quite different from the slender bodies of many other wasps. This robust, jewel-like appearance helps it stand out. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Chrysididae ## Interesting facts - Jewel Wasps don't sting humans, but they can give a small defensive nip if grabbed! - Some Jewel Wasps lay their eggs on caterpillars, turning them into food for their young! - Their dazzling colors aren't just for show; they help the wasps blend in or warn predators. - They are often called 'cuckoo wasps' because they sneak their eggs into other insects' nests! ## Special abilities - **Armored Tank:** Jewel Wasp has an extremely tough exoskeleton and can curl into a tight ball, protecting itself like a tiny armored tank. - **Nest Invader:** Jewel Wasp can chew through tough mud or wood to break into other insects' nests where it lays its own eggs. - **Cunning Parasite:** Jewel Wasp can sneak its eggs into a host's nest, ensuring its young have a fresh meal of host larvae ready to eat. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 8-25 mm - **Size:** 4-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Jewel Wasps drink nectar, but their larvae are sneaky insectivores, eating other insect larvae! - **Age differences:** Adult Jewel Wasps feed on nectar and plant sap, while their larvae are parasitic, consuming the larvae and provisions of host insects. - **Primary Foods:** bee larvae, wasp larvae, caterpillars, sawfly larvae, beetle larvae ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [Red Mason Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-mason-bee) (*Osmia bicornis*) — Lays eggs in their nests, where young feed on bee larvae. - **Parasitizes:** [Leafcutter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leafcutter-bee) (*Megachile centuncularis*) — Their young consume the larvae and provisions stored by these bees. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds sometimes catch adult jewel wasps as a food source. - **Eaten by:** European Garden Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders may prey on jewel wasps caught in their webs. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Jewel Wasp? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Jewel Wasp's wingspan? 8-25 mm ### How big is Jewel Wasp? 4-12 mm ### How long does Jewel Wasp live? 15-40 days ### How fast can Jewel Wasp fly? 15 km/h ### What does Jewel Wasp eat? Adult Jewel Wasps drink nectar, but their larvae are sneaky insectivores, eating other insect larvae! ### Where is Jewel Wasp usually found? Gardens and meadows ### How many legs does Jewel Wasp have? 6 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Jewel Wasp: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jewel-wasp)