Ruby tailed wasp

Lord Vetinari

Some shots of a ruby tailed wasp - Chrysis ignita probably. About 4.5mm body length. Very rarely see these in the garden and when I do they are normally too flighty to get a decent shot. This one though was sitting on a grapevine leaf and looked slightly dopey- allowing me to take several shot series and even let me move the leaf for the last shot before eventually flying off. Last shot shows the bum is green and not just a colour reflection.
5Dmk2/MPE-65/430Ex flash all with some hand focus stacking.

Brian v.

paddler4

very nice captures, esp. 2 and 4. A beautiful wasp. I have never seen one like that over here on this side of the pond.

GOLDENORFE

wonderfull find Brian, definatly a different species to the ones i see
Chrysis Ignita, i think yours could be Pseudomalus Auratus

the body is all blue compared to green/yellow/blue of this one

Lord Vetinari

Thanks for the comments and ID correction
Brian V.