Jewel Cuckoo Wasp

Chrysis ignita is one of about 3,000 species of cuckoo wasp (family Chrysididae), and one of the most visually spectacular insects in the world. The body is covered in extremely thin layers of cuticle whose nanostructure creates structural iridescence — the same physics behind butterfly wing color and morpho butterflies. The result: brilliant metallic blue, green, gold, and red colors visible under almost any lighting condition. Behaviorally, cuckoo wasps are kleptoparasites — like the cuckoo birds they're named for. The female sneaks into the nest of another wasp or solitary bee while the host is away, lays an egg on or near the host's stored prey, and leaves. The cuckoo wasp larva hatches first, eats the host's stored food (and sometimes the host's egg), then pupates and emerges. The species' principal hosts are mason wasps and mud daubers. When a host returns and confronts the intruder, the cuckoo wasp employs a unique defense: she curls into a tight defensive ball with the soft underside protected by armored plates, like a roly-poly. The host's stinger cannot penetrate the armor. The defensive curling is documented to last hours if necessary.