Ruby-tailed Wasp

I missed the start of tonight’s game because of this little beauty and trying to get the right shot. I think I made the right decision…

This is a Ruby-tailed Wasp, and I’ve wanted to see one for. ev. er. Barely 10mm long, they are stunning wee beasties. And this was just mooching about on the polytunnel door after I’d been doing a tour of the thistles around about, taking photos of hoverflies and spiders. 

Had to overexpose to get the colour, but that’s washed out the wood of the polytunnel door to white, and I kinda like it. Stack of just 6 shots, cos it didn’t stay still for long, so the middle ain’t sharp. 

These are cuckoos, so lay their eggs in nests of other solitary wasps or bees, Mason Bees are apparently a favourite, and their larvae hatch first and… feed…