Mystery insect

Sandfly · #1 (**permalink**) 15-08-2010, 03:49 PM

Can anyone help to identify a colourful 'fly' which landed on me yesterday. Quickly and automatically brushed off but I have never seen one like it. Abdomen bright red and thorax irridescent green, shape like gall wasp (or flying ant) and not more than half an inch long. Nothing like it in my British insects book. Location, North Scotland.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 15-08-2010, 03:50 PM

Afternoon Sandfly, and welcome to WAB!

It sounds like a wasp from the Chrysididae family - Ruby-tailed Wasps.

Take care,

Jason

Matt Smith · #3 (**permalink**) 15-08-2010, 03:51 PM

Try looking up "Chrysis" or "Ruby Tailed-wasp" - there are plenty of pics of them inculding some in the WAB Gallery like this:

Sandfly · #4 (**permalink**) 16-08-2010, 07:00 AM

Many thanks for your rapid answers. It is in my book, but picture isn't as vivid red as I was looking for. It is well named, though ruby tail not in index!
Any ideas about a butterfly glimpsed last year? best described as a well tanned orange tip. General flying appearance, 'fluttery' dark brown tortoiseshell, on landing, one orange/tan spot on tip of each wing. Nearest is brown hairstreak- but they are not found up here!? (Or are they?)