“Saw this strange insect in Kyoto, going in and out of this nest structure. The colour struck
“Saw this strange insect in Kyoto, going in and out of this nest structure. The colour struck me as very odd. I thought it was a weird bee or something at first, but upon closer inspection the head looks more fly-like. I was unable to identify it online, so I’m hoping someone else can!”オオセイボウ (Stilbum cyanurum), Large Cuckoo Wasp Hello!Thanks so much for your submission. I hadn’t seen that handsome blue insect before, but your very helpful shot of its nest was enough to convince me I was looking at a wasp of some sort. So your first thought was absolutely right. I was able to ID it fairly certainly as Stilbum cyanurum, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stilbum_cyanurum or in Japanese, オオセイボウ. (Ooseibou). Comparison photos here: https://s2014no64.at.webry.info/201109/article_16.htmlDistribution: Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa Size: 12 - 20 mmIt is indeed a type of Cuckoo Wasp. They have a stinger, but Cuckoo Wasps are not normally known to sting except in the most dire self-defense. Indeed, the photos on the blog above show someone handling it quite calmly. They’re widespread even across Europe, and though the adults feed on nectar like normal wasps, they capture and paralyze prey insects on which to lay their eggs in the nests. The larvae hatch out onto a ready meal. Wonderful find and thank you for the submission! -- source link
#submission#japanese insect#iridescent#blue bee#green bee#blue wasp#cuckoo wasp