Cuckoo Wasp

The cuckoo wasp is a type of wasp that gains popularity from its bright magnificent body colour. The name cuckoo wasp is also derived from the behavioural similarity with the cuckoo birds, these wasp insects lay their eggs in the nest of other insects including wasp and hornets. Cuckoo wasps are also known as Emerald wasp because of their bright emerald coloured body. These wasps are categorized into the Chrysididae, this family contains a diverse range of wasp and green hornet animals, a major characteristic of the wasp is its parasitic nature. Cuckoo wasps are considered to be a matter of research because of their parasitic nature. This article focuses on taxonomic classification, nomenclature, ecology and their behaviour. The article also focuses on the method and techniques used by the wasp as a defence mechanism.

Characteristics

The wasp is also known as the emerald wasp because of its body colour. They have bright blue and emerald coloured bodies. The exact purpose of the evolution of such a trait is not completely understood. Many scientists and wildlife experts hypothesize that body colour is produced due to the exoskeleton reflection pattern. The common morphological marker of cuckoo wasp is the colour of their body. The cuckoo wasp is a parasitic wasp, there are about 74 to 76 species of different cuckoo wasps that are found in nature. A speciality about the parasitic nature of the wasp is that preys over solitary wasps. Cuckoo wasps generally live in a warm climate, they are generally seen in geographical areas that are similar to the warm Mediterranean climates. These wasp uses the nest of other wasps to lay their eggs and provide protection and nutrition to the eggs until they are hatched. 

The main characteristic of these birds is their body colour, although much use and evolution are not known about the feature, they are a matter of great mystery in the animals’ world. 

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Taxonomical Classification

The scientific name of the cuckoo wasp is Chrysididae, this name is attributed to the wasp due to its classification in the family Chrysididae, there are 76 species classified under this family. Some of the examples of the species include the following, Chrysis ignita, Chrysis viridula, Hedychrum rutilans, Stilbum cyanurum. The taxonomical classification of the animals allows giving a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationship between the species and other families of the insect. The taxonomical classification also establishes the evolutionary relationships, the evolution pattern of the organisms, it also provides insight into the similarities of the wasp insect with the hornet insect. The taxonomical classification of the wasp insect is mentioned below.

They belong to the kingdom Animalia, this kingdom consists of the complex multicellular eukaryotic organism. The wasp insect is further classified into phylum, they belong to the phylum called Arthropoda. The characteristic feature of the phylum Arthropoda is its exoskeleton. The exoskeleton of the animal belonging to this phylum is made up of chitin. The chitin exoskeleton is evolved to protect the animals from predators and environmental stress, in some cases this layer of the exoskeleton is also responsible for the production of colour in the body. His is the case in the Cuckoo wasp insect. Another characteristic is the absence of the notochord of the vertebral column in the body. Arthropod members can be defined as the invertebrate animals having an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and paired jointed appendages. All these features hold completely true for the cuckoo wasp also.

The phylum is then classified into classes, the wasp insect belongs to the category called class Insecta, the major feature of this class is that it includes all the insects like wasp, bees, hornet insects. The bright blue wasp called the Cuckoo wasp is also a member of this class. This class qualifies as the largest class in the phylum Arthropods, the characteristic feature of the class that holds true for all the members of the class is the presence of the chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body, which includes head, thorax and abdomen, three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes and one pair of antennae. All the above mention features can be morphologically observed in a cuckoo wasp insect.

The class is further categorized into order, the wasp insects belong to the order called Hymenoptera, this order is among the largest order classified under the class Insecta. The order Hymenoptera consists of insects like wasps, bees and swamp flies. The characteristic feature that is defined under this order is the presence of an ovipositor. It is an organ evolved for laying eggs in inaccessible areas and hosts, theses are also found in bright blue wasp, the cuckoo wasp to lay an egg in the nest of other insects. The ovipositor can anatomically be modified into an organ called a stinger. This modification is seen in the cuckoo wasp. Another important characteristic that holds true for all the members of the order is the process called holometabolism which is also known as the complete metamorphosis. The process refers to the development of the young ones through the metamorphosis, that is they undergo morphologically transition phases that specifically includes a larval stage. An interesting generalization in the order is that most of the members of the order are parasitic that holds true in the case of the cuckoo wasp.

The order is then divided into superfamilies, the bright blue wasp insect belongs to the family called Chrysidoidea. Chrysidoidea is a cosmopolitan superfamily, it primarily constitutes the parasitic insects of the order Hymenoptera. The family is further classified into families, the wasp insect belongs to the family called Chrysididae. Other subfamilies that are classified under this category include, Amiseginae, Loboscelidiinae. The family is further categorized into genus and genus into species. Some of the common genera include examples like Hedychrum, Chrysis, Stilbum. There are about 76 species that are classified under these genera.

Morphological Description

The cuckoo wasp is a bright blue coloured wasp, they are more commonly known as the emerald wasp. They are also known as the Ruby-tailed Wasp. the exact colour of the body can be defined as metallic blue-green. The importance of the colour of the body is not yet known. It was only evident in recent researches conducted in 2009 that the colour of the body is due to the exoskeleton. It was discovered that the bright blue or metallic colour of the body was due to the refraction of the light from the layers of cuticles, there are 6 layers of cuticles. The light gets refracted from the open space between these 6 layers of cuticle exoskeleton of the body. 

Another morphological feature that is commonly seen in every insect is the presence of the antenna. These appendages are located in the head region of the body. The body of the cuckoo wasp can be categorized into three parts called the head region, the abdomen region and the thorax region. These wasp insects have three pairs of jointed legs that is they have 6 legs. The eyes of the wasp are defined as compound eyes above which the antenna is located. They also have evolved an anatomical modification of the ovipositor called a stinger. The primary role of this appendage is to lay eggs in the host nest and other inaccessible regions.

The body is about 1.2 cm long which is about 0.5 inches in length. They also have characteristic features, they can curl up their abdomen and thorax region in case they sense any threat, it is seen as their defence mechanism. The body of the cuckoo wasp can be defined as a slender, smooth body. The legs have relatively few hairs when compared to other wasps.

Habitat and Distribution

These are among the largest group of insects, they are found in a wide range of geographical areas. The preferable habitat of the wasp is a hot climate, the most species diversity is found in the hot desert regions, nonetheless, they are also found in the temperate and tropical forests. 

The wasp is a solitary insect that they do not live in groups. They do not build nests. Although the preferred habitat of these wasps is desert areas, they are also evidently seen in urban areas. Due to a large number of species, they are almost adapted to every environmental condition and are found in almost all the locations on earth. The only exception to this is there is no evidence suggesting the presence of cuckoo wasp in Antarctica. There are approximately about 230 species present north of the Rio Grande. California located in the United States of America is especially considered to have rich species diversity of cuckoo wasp. Australia is also among the continents that have high species diversity, almost in all parts of the country the insect is found.

Diet 

The diet of the cuckoo wasp differs according to its stage in the life cycle. At the larval stage, the cuckoo wasp is generally dependent on the nutrient provided by the host nest. They feed on the food sources of the host. The food source includes dead insects and spiders. They (the young larvae of the cuckoo wasp) can also eat the larvae of the host insect. The second mechanism generally opts where the prey ion the host larvae

The adult wasp is generally seen feeding over the nectar, the primary diet of these insects include nectar from aphids and orchids. Due to this, they are also considered important pollinators.

Reproduction

The cuckoo wasp reproduces by the sexual reproduction method. The female member of the species lays eggs, there is no parental care provided by either of the sexes. It is because the eggs hatch in the nest or burrow of the host insect where either of the parents can not live, it can be said that the early developmental requirement is provided by the host insect.

It is interesting to note that the wasp is categorized as a social wasp mate once a year where only a single female is fertile and lays eggs by mating with different males. This is not the case in solitary wap such as cuckoo wasp. In cuckoo wasp all males and females are fertile. They mate during the spring season. Another interesting point to note that some of the males of different species die shortly after mating, while the other male species lives through the summer. 

The eggs are laid into the host nest by the special appendage present on the female called an ovipositor, in some species of the cuckoo wasp the ovipositor is modified as a stinger. The modified appendage also helps to inlay eggs.

Defence Mechanism

The prominent defence mechanism observed in the cuckoo wasp is their ability to curl up their body. The exoskeleton of the wasp is very strong. The exoskeleton of the cuckoo wasp insect is up to 6 layers thick. This exoskeleton is made up of chitin, which is a very strong material, also there is a prominent gap in between layers. These gaps are important because they allow the insect to curl up into the shape of the ball. The undersurface of the cuckoo wasp’s midsection is cupped so the wasp can tuck in its legs and curl into a tight ball (like a sowbug or armadillo) to protect its body. The curled position allows the wasp to protect the internal organs of the body as the exoskeleton acts as a shield. It is important to note that only the abdomen is involved in the curling, to some thorax is also involved but the head region is never involved

Another important mechanism of defence is the evolution of the stingers. The stingers are in fact a modification of the ovipositor. They are not present in all the species of the wasp insect. The primary role of it is to assist in laying eggs and providing protection.

The main reason for the development of such defence mechanisms lies in the fact that they act as parasites. Since these insects lay eggs on the nest of another insect, they need protection as they have a large probability to be caught by the host. This mechanism of curling up and use of stingers also provide protection against the predators of the wasp insect.

Predators of Cuckoo Wasp

There are many predators of the insect group, the wasp is a primary insect that acts as a food source for a variety of birds. There are following animals that predate cuckoo wasp as their food source, dragonflies, praying mantis, spiders, centipedes. Birds that predate over the wasp insect includes mockingbirds, sparrows, nighthawks and starlings. Reptiles and amphibians like lizards and geckos also predate the wasp species. There are evident sources that suggest that mammals such as mice, weasels, badgers, and black bears also eat different species of cuckoo wasp.

Life Span of a Wasp

A wasp is a short-lived group of animals. The average lifespan of wasps ranges maximum of up to a year, since they are solitary insects, there is no queen wasp. Generally, the queen has a longer life span. The cuckoo wasp is not considered a migratory wasp. If temperatures drop, most wasps become dormant until the weather improves. The solitary wasp-like cuckoo wasp also depends on the stingers as a survival defence tool. 

Evolution History

There is not enough data to summarize the complete evolutionary history of the insect also the data that is present is very fragmented. The oldest record of the known fossil is from the lower Aptian Turga Formation of Russia. There are some other specimens that are Cretaceous in nature. These specimens are found in the Albian-Cenomanian amber of France, a Cenomanian limestone in Morocco. 

In conclusion, the cuckoo wasp is the wasp that belongs to the Chrysididae family is a parasitic wasp insect. The wasp is also known as an emerald wasp, ruby wasp, bright blue wasp. All the different names are allotted due to the exceptional body colour. They are classified as parasitic because the eggs are dependent on the nutrition and protection of the host for hatching. The adult members of the species are generally dependent on the nectar of the flower as a diet but the larvae are dependent on the food provided by the host which includes, dead spiders and smaller insects. The larvae also eat the host larvae. There are various predators of the wasp some of which are birds like sparrows, hummingbirds. Large insects like dragonflies, praying mantis, spiders, centipedes also eat the wasp insect.