Chrysis immaculata

Appearance

This scarce species is very similar in appearance to the much more common Chrysis fulgida in having the first abdominal segment T1 blue in contrast with the golden hind part of the abdomen.
In female Ch. immaculata however, the hind margin of T1 is also thinly golden red with a greenish transition zone to the blue part.
Also, Ch. fulgida is on average slightly larger with 7-12mm versus 6-10mm for immaculata.

Naming

The original description by Buysson in 1898 was named as Chrysis ignita var. immaculata and based on a French specimen.

Distribution

The distribution range is defined as Kirghizian-Atlantic but it is mostly considered a scarce species over this entire range. In the Netherlands it seems to be slightly more common however. Speculation would possibly have this due to its host species preferring antropogenic environments (?)

Behavior

Currently (2018) the only known host species for Chrysis immaculata is Allodynerus rossii (Lepeletier, 1841), previously known as Odynerus rossii.