Why I love the Ruby-tailed Wasp

, 31 January 2025
Why I love the Ruby-tailed Wasp
Ruby-tailed Wasp © Barry Yates

Matt Rich

Ranger, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Back in 2022, I had an unforgettable adventure at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, just a year before I landed my dream job as a Ranger. One of my greatest passions is macro and insect photography. There's nothing quite like getting lost in a woodland, meadow, or any habitat teeming with insects. The thrill of not knowing what you'll discover, or what fascinating behaviours you'll observe, is unmatched. Sometimes though, you set out with a specific goal in mind. When I learned that Rye hosts a colony of Ruby-tailed Wasps, I couldn't resist heading out to try and discover them. After visiting my family in Hastings, I made my way there, eager to find these dazzling insects.

Ruby-tailed Wasps, also known as Cuckoo Wasps, are truly remarkable. These tiny creatures, measuring just 6-10mm, are adorned with brilliant metallic colours - ruby, emerald, and sapphire - that make them stand out. They favour umbellifer flowers such as Hogweed and Wild Carrot, which are not only their preferred food source, but also the easiest flowers to photograph them on.

Ruby-tailed Wasp
Ruby-tailed Wasp © Matt Rich

Finding them requires a keen eye, especially when there's a cluster of umbellifers. These wasps are solitary and can be found in various habitats, from sandy quarries to rocky outcrops and tree trunks. The female lays her eggs in the nests of other solitary bees and wasps, particularly Mason Bees. The larvae then consume the host's eggs and the pollen left by the unsuspecting parent, a behaviour known as kleptoparasitism. It sounds gruesome, but it plays an important role in controlling the populations of other insects and maintaining a balance in the ecosystem.

Ruby-tailed Wasp
Ruby-tailed Wasp © Barry Yates

One of the most intriguing aspects of these wasps is their defence mechanisms. They have a hard body cuticle that protects them from stings, and their concave abdomen allows them to curl up into a ball when threatened. Despite their small size, they are well-equipped to survive in the wild. If you need another reason to take them into your heart, they don't have a stinger, which means they pose no danger to humans. What's not to love!

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Comments

  • Eleanor Newbould:

    Wow! Thank you so much for your wonderful photographs of this beautiful creature.

    01 Feb 2025 20:04:00